Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2004

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Section

1.

Short title and commencement.

2.

Amendment of section 2 of Central Bank Act 1942 (Interpretation).

3.

Insertion of new section 2A into Central Bank Act 1942.

4.

Substitution of section 6B of Central Bank Act 1942.

5.

Amendment of section 20 of Central Bank Act 1942 (Prohibition of the Governor holding shares in a bank).

6.

New section 33SA inserted into Central Bank Act 1942.

7.

Amendment of section 33AC of Central Bank Act 1942 (Registrar to prepare annual report).

8.

Amendment of section 33C of Central Bank Act 1942 (Functions and powers of Regulatory Authority).

9.

Amendment of section 33AK of Central Bank Act 1942 (Disclosure of information).

10.

New Part IIIC inserted into Central Bank Act 1942.

11.

Amendment of section 57A of Central Bank Act 1942 (Interpretation Part VIIA and Schedule 5).

12.

Amendment of section 57G of Central Bank Act 1942 (Jurisdiction and powers of the Appeals Tribunal).

13.

Amendment of section 57R of Central Bank Act 1942 (Operation and implementation of appealed decision pending determination of appeal).

14.

Amendment of section 57Z of Central Bank Act 1942 (What decisions the Appeals Tribunal can make in determining an appeal).

15.

Amendment of section 57AK of Central Bank Act 1942 (Right of appeal to High Court).

16.

New Part VIIB inserted into Central Bank Act 1942.

17.

New Part VIIC inserted into Central Bank Act 1942.

18.

Amendment of section 61E of Central Bank Act 1942.

19.

Insertion of new section 61G into Central Bank Act 1942.

20.

Amendment of Schedule 2 to Central Bank Act 1942 (Enactments and regulations under which Regulatory Authority is to perform functions of the Bank).

21.

Amendment of Schedule 5 to Central Bank Act 1942 (Provisions applicable to members of the Appeals Tribunal).

22.

Insertion into Central Bank Act 1942 of new Schedules 6 and 7.

23.

Insertion into Central Bank Act 1942 of new Schedule 8.

24.

Amendment of section 2 of Central Bank Act 1997 (Interpretation).

25.

Amendment of section 19 of Central Bank Act 1997 (Prohibition of revocation of certain payments).

26.

Substitution of Part IV of Central Bank Act 1997.

27.

Substitution of Part V of Central Bank Act 1997.

28.

Amendment of section 53 of Central Bank Act 1997 (Application of section 47 of Act of 1989).

29.

Amendment of section 75 of Central Bank Act 1997 (Powers of inspection).

30.

Amendment of section 76 of Central Bank Act 1997 (Search and seizure).

31.

Amendment of section 77 of Central Bank Act 1997 (Examination by Comptroller and Auditor General).

32.

Amendment of section 84 of Central Bank Act 1997 (Representative offices).

33.

Miscellaneous amendments to other Acts administered by the Bank.

34.

Amendment of European Communities Regulations administered by the Bank.

35.

Savings and transitional provisions.

Acts Referred to

Asset Covered Securities Act 2001

2001, No. 47

Betting Act 1931

1931, No. 27

Building Societies Act 1989

1989, No. 17

Central Bank Act 1942

1942, No. 22

Central Bank Act 1971

1971, No. 24

Central Bank Act 1989

1989, No. 16

Central Bank Act 1997

1997, No. 8

Central Bank Act 1998

1998, No. 2

Central Bank Acts

Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003

2003, No. 12

Companies Act 1963

1963, No. 33

Companies Act 1990

1990, No. 33

Companies Acts

Consumer Credit Act 1995

1995, No. 24

Courts Act 1981

1981, No. 11

Credit Union Act 1997

1997, No. 15

Criminal Justice Act 1994

1994, No. 15

Currency Act 1927

1927, No. 32

European Communities Act 1972

1972, No. 27

Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956

1956, No. 2

Insurance Act 1936

1936, No. 45

Insurance Act 1964

1964, No. 18

Insurance Act 1989

1989, No. 3

Insurance Act 2000

2000, No. 42

Insurance Acts 1909-2002

Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1985

1985, No. 8

Insurance (No. 2) Act 1983

1983, No. 29

Investment Intermediaries Act 1995

1995, No. 11

Investment Limited Partnerships Act 1994

1994, No. 24

Investor Compensation Act 1998

1998, No. 37

Licensing Acts 1833 to 1994

Netting of Financial Contracts Act 1995

1995, No. 25

Partnership Act 1890

53 & 54 Vic., c 59

Pawnbrokers Act 1964

1964, No. 31

Pensions Acts

Pensions Act 1990

1990, No. 25

Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851

14 & 15 Vic., c 93

Stock Exchange Act 1995

1995, No. 9

Trustee Savings Banks Act 1989

1989, No. 21

Trustee Savings Banks Acts 1863 to 1979

Unit Trusts Act 1990

1990, No. 37

“Definition of ‘subsidiary company’.

2A.—(1) For the purposes of this Act, a company is a subsidiary of another company if (but only if)—

(a) that other company—

(i) holds a majority of the shareholders' or members' voting rights in the first-mentioned company, or

(ii) is a shareholder or member of that company and controls the composition of its board of directors, or

(iii) is a shareholder or member of that company and controls alone, in accordance with an agreement with other shareholders or members, a majority of the shareholders' or members' voting rights,

or

(b) that other company has the right to exercise a dominant influence over the first-mentioned company—

(i) because of provisions contained in its memorandum or articles, or

(ii) because of a control contract,

or

(c) that other company has a participating interest in the first-mentioned company and—

(i) that other company actually exercises a dominant influence over the first-mentioned company, or

(ii) that other company and the first-mentioned company are managed on a unified basis,

or

(d) the undertaking is a subsidiary of a company that is that other's subsidiary company.

(2) In determining whether one company controls the composition of the board of directors of another company for the purposes of subsection (1)(a)(ii), section 155 (2) of the Companies Act 1963 applies to companies that are subject to this Act in the same way as it applies to companies that are subject to that section.

(3) The following provisions apply for the purposes of paragraph (a) of subsection (1)(a):

(a) any shares held, or power exercisable—

(i) by a person as a nominee of that other company referred to in that paragraph, or

(ii) by, or by a nominee for, a subsidiary company of that other company (not being the subsidiary company whose shares or board of directors are involved),

are to be treated as held or exercisable by that other company;

(b) despite paragraph (a)—

(i) any shares held or power exercisable by that other company, or a subsidiary company of that other company, on behalf of a person or company that is neither that other company nor a subsidiary company of that other company is to be treated as not held or exercisable by that other company,

(ii) any shares held, or power exercisable, by that other company or by its nominee or subsidiary company are to be treated as not held or exercisable by that other company if they are held as security, but only if the power is, or the rights attaching to the shares are, exercised in accordance with instructions received from the person providing the security;

(c) any shares held or power exercisable by that other company or its nominee or subsidiary company are to be treated as not held or exercisable by that other company if the ordinary business of that other company or its subsidiary company includes lending money and those shares are held as security, but only if the power is, or the rights attaching to the shares are, exercised in the interest of the person who is providing the security.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)(i) and (iii), the total of the voting rights of the shareholders or members in the subsidiary undertaking are to be reduced by the following:

(a) the voting rights attached to shares held by the subsidiary company in itself; and

(b) the voting rights attached to shares held in the subsidiary company by any of its subsidiary companies; and

(c) the voting rights attached to shares held by a person acting in his own name but on behalf of the subsidiary company or one of its subsidiary companies.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), a company is not to be treated as having the right to exercise a dominant influence over another company unless it has a right to give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of that other company and the directors of that other company are obliged to comply with those directions.

(6) In subsection (1)(b), ‘control contract’ means a contract in writing conferring a right that—

(a) is of a kind authorised by the memorandum or articles of the company in relation to which the right is exercisable, and

(b) is permitted by the law under which that company is established.

(7) Subsection (5) does not limit the construction of the expression ‘actually exercises a dominant influence’ in subsection (1)(c).”.

“Offices of the Bank.

6B.—(1) For the purpose of enabling the Bank to perform its functions, the Board—

(a) may acquire and hold land, and

(b) may build, establish, equip and maintain offices and other premises,

in such places, whether in the State or elsewhere, as it considers appropriate.

(2) The Board may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of land held by the Bank whenever the Board considers that the land is no longer required for the purpose of enabling the Bank to perform its functions.

(3) In this section, ‘acquire’ includes acquire by purchase, lease or exchange.”.

“Supplementary powers of Consumer Director with respect to carrying out the responsibilities imposed under section 33S.

33SA.—(1) To enable the Consumer Director to carry out the responsibilities imposed by section 33S, that Director may—

(a) undertake studies, analyses and surveys with respect to the provision of relevant financial services to consumers, and

(b) collect and compile information for that purpose, and

(c) publish the results of any such studies, analyses or surveys.

(2) In undertaking such a study, analysis or survey, the Consumer Director—

(a) may, by notice in writing, require any person who, in the opinion of that Director has information, or has control of a record or other thing, that is relevant to the study, analysis or survey to provide the information, record or thing to the Consumer Director, and

(b) may, by the same or another notice in writing, require the person to attend before that Director for that purpose.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person—

(a) intentionally prevents the Consumer Director from exercising a power conferred by subsection (1), or intentionally obstructs or hinders that Director in the exercise of such a power, or

(b) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement made to the person in accordance with subsection (2), or

(c) in purporting to comply with a requirement made under subsection (2) to provide information, provides the Consumer Director with information that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is false or misleading in a material respect.

(4) The Consumer Director may, in writing, authorise an officer or a member of the Bank's staff to investigate the business, or any aspect of the business, of a financial service provider who has been required under this section to provide information, or a record or other thing. Such an officer or member of the Bank's staff may take whatever steps are necessary for or in connection with carrying out such an investigation.

(5) A financial service provider who—

(a) without reasonable excuse, fails to co-operate with an investigation carried out under subsection (4), or

(b) intentionally prevents such an investigation from being carried out, or intentionally obstructs or hinders the investigation,

commits an offence.

(6) A person who is convicted of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both, or

(b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both.

(7) Summary proceedings for an offence under this section may be brought and prosecuted by the Chief Executive, but not to the exclusion of any other person who is authorised to bring and prosecute summary offences.

(8) Despite section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 , summary proceeding for an offence under this section may be brought within 2 years after the date on which the offence was first discovered.”.

Interpretation (Part IIIC).

33AN.—In this Part—

‘contravene’ includes fail to comply, and also includes—

(a) attempting to contravene, and

(b) aiding and abetting and counselling and procuring a person to commit a contravention, and

(c) inducing, or attempting to induce, a person (whether by threats or promises or otherwise) to commit a contravention, and

(d) being (directly or indirectly) knowingly concerned in, or a party to, a contravention, and

(e) conspiring with others to commit a contravention;

‘decision of the Regulatory Authority’ means—

(a) in relation to an inquiry held by the Regulatory Authority under section 33AO, a finding made by that Authority in accordance with section 33AQ and any decision of that Authority imposing a sanction under that section in consequence of the finding, or

(b) any decision of that Authority imposing a sanction under section 33AR;

‘disqualification direction’ means a direction given under section 33AQ or 33AR disqualifying a specified person from being concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider;

‘inquiry’ means an inquiry held under section 33AO or section 33AR;

‘prescribed contravention’ means a contravention of—

(a) a provision of a designated enactment or designated statutory instrument, or

(b) a code made, or a direction given, under such a provision, or

(c) any condition or requirement imposed under a provision of a designated enactment, designated statutory instrument, code or direction, or

(d) any obligation imposed on any person by this Part or imposed by the Regulatory Authority pursuant to a power exercised under this Part;

‘notify’ means notify in writing.

Regulatory Authority may hold inquiry into conduct of regulated financial service provider or person concerned in its management.

33AO.—(1) Whenever the Regulatory Authority suspects on reasonable grounds that a regulated financial service provider is committing or has committed a prescribed contravention, it may hold an inquiry to determine whether or not the financial service provider is committing or has committed the contravention.

(2) Whenever the Regulatory Authority suspects on reasonable grounds that a person concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider is participating or has participated in the commission of a prescribed contravention by the financial service provider, it may hold an inquiry to determine whether or not the person is participating or has participated in the contravention. Such an inquiry may form part of an inquiry held under this section in relation to the suspected commission of a prescribed contravention by the financial service provider.

Regulatory Authority to give notice to regulated financial service provider with respect to inquiry.

33AP.—(1) Before holding an inquiry under section 33AO, the Regulatory Authority shall give notice in writing of the proposed inquiry to the financial service provider or other person concerned.

(2) The notice must—

(a) specify the grounds on which the Regulatory Authority's suspicions are based, and

(b) specify a date, time and place at which the Regulatory Authority will hold the inquiry, and

(c) invite the financial service provider or person concerned either to attend the inquiry or to make written submissions about the matter to which the inquiry relates.

(3) A regulated financial service provider or other person concerned may, before the date of the inquiry, lodge with the Regulatory Authority any written submissions that the regulated financial service provider or person wishes that Authority to take into account when considering the matter to which the inquiry relates. This subsection applies whether or not the financial service provider or other person has been invited to attend the inquiry.

(4) The Regulatory Authority may adjourn an inquiry from time to time and from place to place, but if it does so it shall ensure that the regulated financial service provider or other person concerned is notified of the date, time and place at which the inquiry is to be resumed.

(5) The Regulatory Authority may proceed with an inquiry in the absence of the financial service provider or other person concerned so long as that financial service provider or person has been given an opportunity to attend the inquiry or to make written submissions to it.

What decisions Regulatory Authority can make at conclusion of inquiry held under section 33AO.

33AQ.—(1) At the conclusion of an inquiry held under section 33AO, the Regulatory Authority shall make a finding as to whether the financial service provider concerned is committing or has committed the prescribed contravention to which the inquiry relates.

(2) At the conclusion of an inquiry relating to the conduct of a person concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider, the Regulatory Authority shall make a finding as to whether the person is participating or has participated in the prescribed contravention to which the inquiry relates.

(3) If the Regulatory Authority makes a finding that a regulated financial service provider is committing or has committed a prescribed contravention, it may impose on the financial service provider one or more of the following sanctions:

(a) a caution or reprimand;

(b) a direction to refund or withhold all or part of an amount of money charged or paid, or to be charged or paid, for the provision of a financial service by the financial service provider;

(c) a direction to pay to the Regulatory Authority a monetary penalty not exceeding the prescribed amount;

(d) if the financial service provider is a natural person, a direction disqualifying the person from being concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider for such period as is specified in the order;

(e) if the financial service provider is found to be still committing the contravention, a direction ordering the financial service provider to cease committing the contravention;

(f) a direction to pay to the Regulatory Authority all or a specified part of the costs incurred by that Authority in holding the inquiry and in investigating the matter to which the inquiry relates.

(4) For the purpose of subsection (3)(c), the prescribed amount is—

(a) if the financial service provider is a body corporate or an unincorporated body, €5,000,000, or

(b) if the financial service provider is a natural person, €500,000, or

(c) if the regulations prescribe some other amount for paragraph (a) or (b), that other amount.

(5) If the Regulatory Authority makes a finding that a person concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider is participating or has participated in the commission by the financial service provider of a prescribed contravention, it may impose on the person one or more of the following sanctions:

(a) a caution or reprimand;

(b) a direction to pay to the Regulatory Authority a monetary penalty not exceeding the prescribed amount;

(c) a direction disqualifying the person from being concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider for such period as is specified in the order;

(d) if the person is found to be still participating in the commission of the contravention, a direction ordering the person to cease participating in the commission of the contravention;

(e) a direction to pay to the Regulatory Authority all or a specified part of the costs incurred by that Authority in holding the inquiry and in investigating the matter to which the inquiry relates.

(6) For the purpose of subsection (5)(b), the prescribed amount is—

(a) €500,000, or

(b) if the regulations prescribe some other amount of money for paragraph (a), that other amount.

(7) At the conclusion of an inquiry relating to the conduct of a regulated financial service provider, the Regulatory Authority shall notify its decision to the financial service provider. The decision must set out in writing—

(a) its finding as to whether or not the financial service provider is committing or has committed the prescribed contravention to which the inquiry relates, and

(b) the grounds on which its finding is based, and

(c) if the Regulatory Authority finds that the contravention is being or has been committed, the sanctions (if any) imposed under this section in respect of the contravention.

(8) At the conclusion of an inquiry relating to the conduct of a person concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider, the Regulatory Authority shall notify the person of its decision. The decision must set out—

(a) its finding as to whether or not the person is participating or has participated in the commission of the prescribed contravention to which the inquiry relates, and

(b) the grounds on which the finding is based, and

(c) if the Regulatory Authority finds that the person is participating or has participated in the contravention, the sanctions (if any) imposed under this section in respect of the participation.

Alternative procedure when commission of, or participation in, prescribed contravention is acknowledged.

33AR.—(1) If, in a case where the Regulatory Authority suspects on reasonable grounds that a regulated financial service provider is committing or has committed a prescribed contravention, the financial service provider acknowledges that the financial service provider is committing or has committed the contravention, the Regulatory Authority may—

(a) with the consent of the financial service provider, dispense with an inquiry and impose on the financial service provider any sanction that it is empowered to impose on regulated financial service providers under section 33AQ, or

(b) hold an inquiry to determine what sanction (if any) should be imposed on the financial service provider in accordance with that section.

(2) If, in a case where the Regulatory Authority suspects on reasonable grounds that a person concerned in the management of a regulated financial service provider is committing or has committed a prescribed contravention, the person acknowledges that the person is participating or has participated in the commission of the contravention, the Regulatory Authority may—

(a) with the person's consent, dispense with an inquiry and impose on that person any sanction that it is empowered to impose on persons concerned in the management of regulated financial service providers under section 33AQ, or

(b) hold an inquiry to determine what sanction (if any) should be imposed on the person in accordance with that section.

(3) At the conclusion of an inquiry under subsection (1)(b), the Regulatory Authority shall notify its decision to the financial service provider concerned. The decision must set out in writing the sanctions (if any) imposed under that subsection in respect of the relevant contravention.

(4) At the conclusion of an inquiry held under paragraph (b) of subsection (2), the Regulatory Authority shall notify the person concerned of its decision. The decision must set out the sanctions (if any) imposed under that paragraph in respect of the participation.

Limitations on imposing monetary penalties.

33AS.—(1) If the Regulatory Authority decides to impose a monetary penalty on a regulated financial service provider under section 33AQ or 33AR, it may not impose an amount that would be likely to cause the financial service provider to cease business.

(2) If the Regulatory Authority decides to impose a monetary penalty on a person under section 33AQ or 33AR, it may not impose an amount that would be likely to cause the person to be adjudicated bankrupt.

(3) If conduct engaged in—

(a) by a regulated financial service provider constitutes two or more prescribed contraventions, or

(b) by a person concerned in the management of such a financial service provider constitutes participation in two or more prescribed contraventions by such a financial service provider,

an inquiry may be held under section 33AO or 33AR in relation to one or more of the contraventions, but only one monetary penalty may be imposed under section 33AQ or 33AR in respect of the same conduct.

Financial service provider etc. not to be liable to be penalised twice for same contravention.

33AT.—(1) If the Regulatory Authority imposes a monetary penalty in accordance with section 33AQ or 33AR and the prescribed contravention in respect of which the sanction is imposed is an offence under a law of the State, the financial service provider or other person concerned is not liable to be prosecuted or punished for the offence under that law.

(2) The Regulatory Authority may not impose a monetary penalty on a financial service provider, or on a person concerned in the management of the financial service provider, in accordance with section 33AQ or 33AR, if—

(a) the financial service provider or other person has been charged with having committed an offence under a law of the State and has either been found guilty or not guilty of having committed the offence, and

(b) the offence involves a prescribed contravention.

Person not to be concerned in management of regulated financial service provider while disqualified.

33AU.—A regulated financial service provider shall ensure that a person is not permitted to be concerned in the management of the financial service provider while the person is subject to a disqualification direction that is in force under this Part.

Power of Regulatory Authority to resolve suspected contraventions, etc.

33AV.—(1) If the Regulatory Authority suspects on reasonable grounds that—

(a) a regulated financial service provider is committing or has committed a prescribed contravention, or

(b) a person concerned in the management of the financial service provider is participating or has participated in such a contravention,

it may enter into an agreement in writing with the financial service provider or person to resolve the matter.

(2) Such an agreement is to be on such terms as are specified in the agreement and is binding on the Regulatory Authority and the financial service provider or person concerned. Those terms may include terms under which that financial service provider or person accepts the imposition of sanctions of the kind referred to in section 33AQ.

(3) The Regulatory Authority may enter into an agreement under this section—

(a) without having held an inquiry into the matter under section 33AO or 33AR, or

(b) after beginning (but not after completing) such an inquiry.

(4) The Regulatory Authority may, by proceedings brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, recover as a debt due to the Bank the amount of any amount agreed to be paid under an agreement entered into under this section.

When decisions of the Regulatory Authority under this Part take effect.

33AW.—(1) A decision of the Regulatory Authority imposing a caution or reprimand takes effect—

(a) if no appeal against the decision is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within the period allowed for lodging such an appeal—at the end of that period, or

(b) if such an appeal is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within that period and the decision is confirmed by that Tribunal (with or without variation) — at the time when the period allowed for lodging an appeal with the High Court against that decision has ended, no appeal having been lodged within that period, or

(c) if such an appeal is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within that period but is later withdrawn — at the time of the withdrawal of the appeal, or

(d) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the determination of the Appeals Tribunal in respect of the decision and, on the hearing of the appeal by that Court, that determination is confirmed (with or without variation) — at the time of confirmation of that determination, or

(e) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the determination of the Appeals Tribunal but is later withdrawn — at the time of the withdrawal of the appeal.

(2) A decision of the Regulatory Authority directing payment of a monetary penalty, a refund of money or costs takes effect—

(a) if—

(i) the amount of the penalty, refund or costs is not paid to the Regulatory Authority within the period allowed for appeals against such a decision, and

(ii) no appeal to the Appeals Tribunal is lodged within that period or, having been lodged within that period, is later withdrawn,

at the time when the decision is confirmed by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction,

or

(b) if such an appeal is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within that period and the decision is confirmed by that Tribunal (with or without variation) — at the time when the period allowed for lodging an appeal with the High Court against the determination of that Tribunal in respect of the decision has ended, no appeal having been lodged within that period, or

(c) if such an appeal is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within that period but is later withdrawn — at the time of the withdrawal of the appeal, or

(d) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the determination of the Appeals Tribunal in respect of the decision and, on the hearing of the appeal by that Court, that determination is confirmed (either with or without variation) — at the time of confirmation of that determination, or

(e) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the decision of that Tribunal but is later withdrawn — at the time when the appeal is withdrawn.

(3) A disqualification direction takes effect—

(a) if no appeal to the Appeals Tribunal is lodged within the period allowed for bringing such an appeal, or is lodged within that period but is later withdrawn — at the time when it is confirmed by an order of a District Court, or

(b) if such an appeal is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within that period and the direction is confirmed by that Tribunal — at the time when the period allowed for lodging an appeal in the High Court against the determination of that Tribunal in respect of the direction has ended, no appeal having been lodged within that period, or

(c) if such an appeal is lodged within that period but is later withdrawn — at the time when the appeal is withdrawn, or

(d) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the determination of the Appeals Tribunal in respect of the direction and, on the hearing of the appeal by that Court, that determination is confirmed (with or without variation) — at the time of confirmation of that determination, or

(e) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the determination of the Appeals Tribunal but is later withdrawn, at the time when the appeal is withdrawn.

(4) Any other decision of the Regulatory Authority under this Part takes effect—

(a) if no appeal against the decision is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within the period allowed for lodging such an appeal, at the end of that period, or

(b) if such an appeal is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within that period and the decision is confirmed by that Tribunal (with or without variation) — at the time when the period allowed for lodging an appeal with the High Court against the determination of that Tribunal in respect of the decision has ended, no appeal having been lodged within that period, or

(c) if such an appeal is lodged with the Appeals Tribunal within that period but is later withdrawn — at the time of the withdrawal of the appeal, or

(d) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the determination of the Appeals Tribunal in respect of the decision and, on the hearing of the appeal by that Court, that determination is confirmed (with or without variation) — at the time of confirmation of that determination, or

(e) if an appeal is made to the High Court against the determination of the Appeals Tribunal in respect of the decision but is later withdrawn — at the time of the withdrawal of the appeal.

(5) A court of competent jurisdiction may hear an application by the Regulatory Authority under this section otherwise than in public if—

(a) evidence may be given, or a matter may arise, during the hearing that is of a confidential nature or relates to the commission, or to the alleged or suspected commission, of an offence against a law of the State, or

(b) a person's reputation would be unfairly prejudiced unless the court exercises its discretion under this section.

Decision of Regulatory Authority to be appealable.

33AX.—A decision of the Regulatory Authority made at the conclusion of an inquiry held under section 33AO or section 33AR is an appealable decision for the purposes of Part VIIA.

Proceedings at inquiries.

33AY.—(1) The Regulatory Authority shall conduct an inquiry with as little formality and technicality, and with as much expedition, as a proper consideration of the matters before it will allow.

(2) At an inquiry, the Regulatory Authority shall observe the rules of procedural fairness, but is not bound by the rules of evidence.

(3) The Regulatory Authority may be assisted by a legal practitioner when conducting an inquiry.

(4) A financial service provider or other person who has, in accordance with section 33AP, been invited to attend an inquiry or a part of it is entitled to be represented at the inquiry or part by a legal practitioner or, with the leave of the Regulatory Authority, by any other person.

Inquiry normally to be held in public.

33AZ.—(1) Except as provided by subsection (2), the Regulatory Authority shall hold its inquiries in public.

(2) The Regulatory Authority and the financial service provider or other person to whom an inquiry relates may agree that the inquiry should be held in private, but even if they do not agree, that Authority may nevertheless decide to hold an inquiry in private if it is satisfied that—

(a) evidence may be given, or a matter may arise, during the inquiry that is of a confidential nature or relates to the commission, or to the alleged or suspected commission, of an offence against a law of the State, or

(b) a person's reputation would be unfairly prejudiced unless that Authority exercises its powers under this section.

(3) The Regulatory Authority may at any time vary or revoke a decision made under subsection (2).

Power to summon witnesses and take evidence.

33BA.—(1) At an inquiry, the Regulatory Authority may, in writing—

(a) summons a person to appear before the inquiry to give evidence, to produce specified documents, or to do both, and

(b) require the person to attend from day to day unless excused, or released from further attendance, by that Authority.

(2) The person presiding at an inquiry may require evidence to be given on oath, and may for that purpose—

(a) require a witness at the inquiry to take an oath, and

(b) administer an oath to the witness.

(3) The oath to be taken by a person for the purposes of this section is an oath that the evidence the person will give will be true.

(4) The person presiding at an inquiry—

(a) may require a witness at the inquiry to answer a question put to the witness, and

(b) may require a person appearing at the inquiry in accordance with a summons issued under this section to produce a document specified in the summons.

(5) The person presiding at an inquiry may allow a witness at the inquiry to give evidence by tendering a written statement, which, if the person presiding so requires, must be verified by oath.

Regulatory Authority may refer to Court question of law arising at inquiry.

33BB.—(1) The Regulatory Authority may, on its own initiative or at the request of the financial service provider or other person concerned, refer to the Court for decision a question of law arising at an inquiry.

(2) If a question has been referred under subsection (1), the Regulatory Authority may not, in relation to a matter to which the inquiry relates—

(a) give a decision to which the question is relevant while the reference is pending, or

(b) proceed in a manner, or make a decision, that is inconsistent with the Court's opinion on the question.

(3) If a question is referred under subsection (1)—

(a) the Regulatory Authority shall send to the Court all documents before that Authority that are relevant to the matter in question, and

(b) at the end of the proceeding in the Court in relation to the reference, the Court shall cause the documents to be returned to that Authority.

Regulatory Authority may publish its decisions.

33BC.—(1) If on the holding of an inquiry under section 33AO the Regulatory Authority has found that—

(a) a regulated financial service provider is committing or has committed a prescribed contravention, or

(b) a person concerned in the management of the financial service provider is participating or has participated in such a contravention,

it shall publish the finding, and details of any sanction imposed in consequence of the finding, in such form and manner as it thinks appropriate.

(2) If the Regulatory Authority has, in accordance with section 33AR, imposed—

(a) a sanction on a regulated financial service provider in respect of the commission of a prescribed contravention, or

(b) a sanction on a person concerned in the management of a financial service provider in respect of the person's participation in the commission by the financial service provider of such a contravention,

it shall publish details of the sanction imposed, in such form and manner as it thinks appropriate.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to findings or details that the Regulatory Authority determines—

(a) to be of a confidential nature or to relate to the commission of an offence against a law of the State, or

(b) would unfairly prejudice a person's reputation.

(4) The Regulatory Authority shall publish annually, in a summary form, information on its actions under this Part.

Regulatory Authority may make guidelines with respect to the conduct of proceedings under this Part.

33BD.—(1) The Regulatory Authority may prescribe guidelines with respect to the conduct of inquiries under this Part, and may for that purpose, incorporate by reference any procedure prescribed by Rules of the Superior Courts as in force at a specified time or as in force from time to time.

(2) The Regulatory Authority may at any time amend or revoke guidelines prescribed under this section.

(3) Guidelines prescribed under this section, and any amendment to, or revocation of, those guidelines, must be in writing and be published in a manner determined by the Regulatory Authority.

Performance and exercise of functions and powers of Regulatory Authority under this Part.

33BE.—The Chief Executive, and such other officers of the Regulatory Authority and such employees of the Bank as the Regulatory Authority designates from time to time, are responsible for performing and exercising the functions and powers of the Regulatory Authority under this Part.

Limitation of period within which judicial review may be sought.

33BF.—An application for leave to apply for judicial review of a decision of the Regulatory Authority under this Part must be made—

(a) within 2 months after the date on which notice of the decision was first notified to the financial service provider or the person concerned, or

(b) if the High Court makes an order extending that period, within that extended period.”.

Definitions.

57BA.—In this Part—

‘Bureau’ means the Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau;

‘Bureau staff member’ means a person appointed under section 57BN;

‘complaint’ means a complaint made by a consumer under this Part about the conduct of a regulated financial service provider;

‘conduct’ includes alleged conduct;

‘consumer’ means—

(a) a natural person when not acting in the course of, or in connection with, carrying on a business, or

(b) a person, or group of persons, of a class prescribed by Council regulations;

‘Council’ means the Financial Services Ombudsman Council established by section 57BC;

‘Council regulations’ means regulations made by the Council under section 57BF and in force;

‘eligible consumer’, in relation to a regulated financial service provider, means a consumer—

(a) who is a customer of the financial service provider, or

(b) to whom the financial service provider has offered to provide a financial service, or

(c) who has sought the provision of a financial service from the financial service provider;

‘investigation’ means an investigation of a complaint;

‘parties’ in relation to a complaint, means the complainant, the regulated financial service provider against whom the complaint is made, and any other person who, in the opinion of the Financial Services Ombudsman, should be treated as a party to the complaint;

‘Pensions Ombudsman’ means the person holding or acting in the office of Pensions Ombudsman under section 128 of the Pensions Act 1990 .

Objects of this Part.

57BB.—The objects of this Part are as follows:

(a) to establish the Financial Services Ombudsman as an independent officer—

(i) to investigate, mediate and adjudicate complaints made in accordance with this Part about the conduct of regulated financial service providers involving the provision of a financial service, an offer to provide such a service or a failure or refusal to provide such a service, and

(ii) to exercise such other jurisdiction as is conferred on the Financial Services Ombudsman by this Part;

(b) to ensure that the Financial Services Ombudsman and the staff of the Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau are accessible and that complaints about the conduct of regulated financial service providers are dealt with efficiently and effectively and are adjudicated fairly;

(c) to enable such complaints to be dealt with in an informal and expeditious manner;

(d) to improve public understanding of issues related to complaints against regulated financial service providers and related consumer protection matters.

Establishment of Financial Services Ombudsman Council.

57BC.—(1) There is established by this section a Council called the ‘Financial Services Ombudsman Council’.

(2) The Council is to consist of such number of persons, not fewer than 5 nor more than 10, as the Minister decides.

(3) The Minister shall appoint the members of the Council, but only after consulting the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. At least one of the members (other than the Chairperson) must be a person who has knowledge or experience of consumer protection and other consumer issues relating to the provision of financial services and at least one of the other members must be a person who has knowledge or experience of the financial services industry.

(4) The Minister shall appoint a Chairperson from among the members of the Council who have knowledge or experience of consumer issues relating to the provision of financial services.

(5) A member of the Council holds office for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the member's document of appointment, unless the member ceases to hold office under Schedule 6.

(6) Such a member is eligible for reappointment.

(7) Schedule 6 has effect with respect to the Council.

Functions and powers of Financial Services Ombudsman Council.

57BD.—(1) The functions of the Council are—

(a) to prescribe guidelines under which the Financial Services Ombudsman is to operate, and

(b) to determine the levies and charges payable for the performance of services provided by the Financial Services Ombudsman, and

(c) to appoint the Financial Services Ombudsman and all Deputy Financial Services Ombudsmen, and

(d) to keep under review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Bureau and to advise the Minister, either at the Minister's request or on its own initiative, on any matter relevant to the operation of the Bureau, and

(e) to advise the Ombudsman on any matter on which the Ombudsman seeks advice, and

(f) to carry out such other activities as are prescribed by this Part.

(2) The Council has no role with respect to how the Financial Services Ombudsman deals with a particular complaint.

(3) The Council has such powers as are necessary to enable it to perform its functions.

Council may impose levies and fees for the purposes of this Part.

57BE.—(1) The purpose of this section is to enable the Financial Services Ombudsman to have sufficient funds to enable that Ombudsman to perform the functions imposed, and to exercise the powers conferred, on that Ombudsman by this or any other Act.

(2) Council Regulations may prescribe levies or fees to be paid by specified classes of financial service providers.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), Council Regulations may provide for any of the following matters:

(a) the persons, or classes of persons, who are required to pay specified kinds of levies or fees;

(b) the amounts of those levies or fees;

(c) the periods in respect of which, or the dates by which, specified levies or fees are to be paid to the Financial Services Ombudsman;

(d) penalties that are payable by a person who fails to pay a levy on time or pay a required fee;

(e) the keeping of records, and the making of returns to the Financial Services Ombudsman, by persons who are liable to pay a specified levy or a specified fee;

(f) the collection and recovery of levies and fees.

(4) The Council may, by proceedings brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, recover as a debt an amount of levy or fee payable under Council Regulations made for the purpose of this section.

Council to make regulations for the purposes of this Part.

57BF.—(1) The Council shall make regulations for or with respect to matters—

(a) that are, by this Part, required or permitted to be prescribed, or

(b) that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for the purpose of enabling the Financial Services Ombudsman to perform the functions imposed, and to exercise the powers conferred, on that Ombudsman by this Part.

(2) In particular, a regulation under subsection (1) may do any of the following:

(a) prescribe matters that the Financial Services Ombudsman must take into account when investigating or adjudicating a complaint;

(b) prescribe procedures to be followed in processing a complaint;

(c) specify circumstances in which the Financial Services Ombudsman can dismiss a complaint without considering its merits;

(d) specify the place or places at which the Financial Services Ombudsman is required to make available copies of any report that that Ombudsman is, by a provision of this Part, required to prepare or publish.

(3) Regulations under this section can be made either on the initiative of the Council or at the request of the Financial Services Ombudsman, but they do not take effect until the Minister has consented to them in writing.

(4) As soon as practicable after the Minister has consented to regulations in accordance with subsection (3), the Council shall arrange to lay them before each House of the Oireachtas.

(5) A House of the Oireachtas may pass a resolution annulling regulations laid before the House in accordance with subsection (4), but only within 21 sitting days after they are laid.

Council chairperson to provide Minister with reports.

57BG.—The chairperson of the Council is required to provide the Minister with such reports relating to the activities of the Bureau as the Minister requires from time to time. However, such a report must not include particulars or comments on any complaint that is being or has been investigated by the Financial Services Ombudsman.

Council chairperson to appear before Oireachtas committee when required.

57BH.—(1) The chairperson of the Council is required to attend a meeting of a joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas whenever asked to do so by the committee and to provide such information (including documents) as the committee specifies and as is in the possession of, or is available to, that chairperson.

(2) Such a committee is not entitled to request the chairperson of the Council to provide information relating to any complaint that is then being investigated, mediated or adjudicated by the Financial Services Ombudsman. The chairperson must refuse to comply with a request from the committee to provide it with any such information.

Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau.

57BI.—(1) There is established by this section a bureau called the ‘Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau’.

(2) The Bureau consists of the Financial Services Ombudsman, each Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman and the staff members holding office under section 57BN.

Financial Services Ombudsman.

57BJ.—(1) The Council shall, whenever the occasion requires, appoint a suitably qualified person to be the Financial Services Ombudsman. However, if a person has been appointed as Financial Services Ombudsman or as Financial Services Ombudsman designate before the commencement of this section, that person is taken to have been appointed by the Council under this subsection.

(2) Subject to Schedule 7, a person appointed as the Financial Services Ombudsman holds office for such period, not exceeding 6 years, as is specified in the document of appointment.

(3) Such a person is eligible for reappointment at the end of a period of office.

(4) A person is not eligible for appointment as the Financial Services Ombudsman if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

Functions and powers of Financial Services Ombudsman.

57BK.—(1) The principal function of the Financial Services Ombudsman is to deal with complaints made under this Part by mediation and, where necessary, by investigation and adjudication.

(2) Subject to this Part, the Financial Services Ombudsman has such powers as are necessary to enable that Ombudsman to perform the principal function referred to in subsection (1).

(3) The Financial Services Ombudsman may authorise any Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman or any other Bureau staff member, by name, office or appointment, to perform any of the functions, or exercise any of the powers, imposed or conferred on the Financial Services Ombudsman by this or any other Act.

(4) The Financial Services Ombudsman is entitled to perform the functions imposed, and exercise the powers conferred, by this Act free from interference by any other person and, when dealing with a particular complaint, is required to act in an informal manner and according to equity, good conscience and the substantial merits of the complaint without regard to technicality or legal form.

Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman.

57BL.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman Council shall, whenever the occasion requires, appoint one or more suitably qualified persons to be Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman. However, if a person has been appointed as a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman or as a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman designate before the commencement of this section, that person is taken to have been appointed by the Council under this subsection.

(2) Subject to Schedule 7, a person appointed as a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman holds office for such period, not exceeding 6 years, as is specified in the document of appointment.

(3) Such a person is eligible for reappointment at the end of a period of office.

(4) A person is not eligible for appointment as a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(5) Within the scope of the authority conferred by the Financial Services Ombudsman, a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman may perform any of the functions, or exercise any of the powers, of the Financial Services Ombudsman imposed or conferred on the Financial Services Ombudsman by this or any other Act.

(6) Any act done or omitted to be done in accordance with subsection (5) is taken to have been done or omitted to have been done by the Financial Services Ombudsman.

(7) A Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman is entitled to perform the functions and exercise the powers under subsection (5) free from interference by any other person, except that that Ombudsman shall—

(a) comply with directions given by the Financial Services Ombudsman, and

(b) keep the Financial Services Ombudsman informed about the progress made with respect to dealing with complaints that are assigned to the Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman.

Acting Financial Services Ombudsman.

57BM.—(1) The Council shall appoint the Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman, or, if there are two or more such Ombudsmen, one of those Ombudsmen, to act as Financial Services Ombudsman during the absence of the Financial Services Ombudsman or during a vacancy in the office of that Ombudsman.

(2) No one is entitled to question the appointment under this section of a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman to act as Financial Services Ombudsman.

(3) A Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman is, when acting as the Financial Services Ombudsman, taken to be that Ombudsman.

Bureau staff.

57BN.—(1) Subject to this section, the Financial Services Ombudsman is responsible for appointing and employing persons necessary for the proper functioning of the Bureau.

(2) Persons may be appointed under subsection (1) on a permanent, temporary or parttime basis or as consultants.

(3) Persons appointed under subsection (1) are to be employed on such terms and conditions (including conditions as to remuneration and allowances) as the Council determines. In making a determination under this subsection, the Council is to have regard to—

(a) the Government's policy with respect to the remuneration of public sector employees, and

(b) any directions that the Minister may give from time to time for the purpose of giving effect to that policy.

(4) Within the scope of the authority conferred by the Financial Services Ombudsman, a person appointed under subsection (1) may perform any of the functions, or exercise any of the powers, imposed or conferred on the Financial Services Ombudsman by this or any other Act.

(5) Any act done or omitted to be done in accordance with subsection (4) is taken to have been done or omitted to have been done by the Financial Services Ombudsman.

(6) A Bureau staff member is entitled to perform the functions and exercise the powers authorised under subsection (4) free from interference from any other person, except that the staff member shall—

(a) comply with directions given by the Financial Services Ombudsman or a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman, and

(b) keep the Financial Services Ombudsman, or the appropriate Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman, informed about the progress made with respect to dealing with complaints that are assigned to the staff member.

(7) Schedule 7 has effect with respect to the Financial Services Ombudsman, the Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman and the members of the Bureau staff appointed under this section.

Immunity of Financial Services Ombudsman and others.

57BO.—(1) A Bureau staff member is not liable, whether on the ground of want of jurisdiction or on any other ground, to any civil or criminal proceedings in respect of any act done, or omitted to be done, in the course of performing a function imposed, or exercising a power conferred, on the member by or under this or any other Act unless it is proved that the act was done, or omitted to be done, in bad faith.

(2) Civil or criminal proceedings in respect of any act or omission referred to in subsection (1) may be brought against a Bureau staff member only with the leave of the High Court.

(3) The High Court may grant leave under subsection (2) only if satisfied that there is substantial evidence that the person to be proceeded against has acted, or omitted to act, in bad faith.

(4) For the purposes of this section, ‘bureau staff member’ includes the Financial Services Ombudsman and each of the Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman.

Financial Services Ombudsman to ensure proper accounts are kept in respect of the Bureau.

57BP.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall ensure that accounting records are kept that properly record and explain the financial transactions of or relating to the Bureau.

(2) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall ensure that the accounting records relating to the Bureau comply with the accounting standards (if any) notified in writing to the Financial Services Ombudsman by the Council, acting on the advice of the Minister.

(3) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall ensure that the accounting records relating to the Bureau are kept for 6 years after the transactions to which they relate are completed. The Financial Services Ombudsman may, at the end of that period, direct that those records be retained or arrange for them to be disposed of in such manner as that Ombudsman considers appropriate. This subsection has effect despite any other enactment to the contrary.

(4) The Financial Services Ombudsman is required to make the accounting records available at all reasonable times for inspection by any member of the Council who requests to see them.

Financial Services Ombudsman to arrange for preparation of annual statement of accounts.

57BQ.—(1) Within 4 months after the end of each financial year, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall arrange for the preparation and transmission to the Comptroller and Auditor General of a statement of accounts for the year. The statement must be in a form approved by the Council acting in consultation with the Minister. A form of statement approved under this subsection remains in force until superseded by another form of statement so approved.

(2) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall audit and report on the statement of accounts and, as soon as practicable after completing the report, give the report and the statement to the Financial Services Ombudsman and to the Council.

Financial Services Ombudsman to prepare annual report of activities of the Bureau.

57BR.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall, not later than 6 months after the end of a financial year—

(a) prepare an annual report specifying the activities of the Bureau during that year, and

(b) submit the report to the Council.

(2) An annual report must be in such form and deal with such matters as the Council has notified to the Financial Services Ombudsman and must include or be accompanied by the audited statement of accounts prepared for the financial year concerned.

(3) As soon as practicable after receiving an annual report, the Council shall deliver the report to the Minister.

(4) As soon as practicable after receiving an annual report, the Minister shall arrange for a copy of the report to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(5) On becoming aware that subsection (4) has been complied with, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall arrange for the publication of the annual report.

Financial Services Ombudsman to publish certain other reports.

57BS.—(1) Within 3 months after the end of each financial year, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall publish a report containing—

(a) a summary of all complaints made to that Ombudsman during the preceding financial year and of the results of the investigations into those complaints, and

(b) a review of trends and patterns in the making of complaints to that Ombudsman.

(2) The Financial Services Ombudsman may publish such a report more frequently than once a year if that Ombudsman thinks it would be in the public interest to do so.

(3) The Financial Services Ombudsman may, with the approval of the Council, publish reports on other matters relating to the operation of the Bureau.

Financial Services Ombudsman to arrange for preparation of annual estimate of income and expenditure.

57BT.—(1) Not later than 3 months before the beginning of each financial year, or within such extended period as the Council may allow, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall arrange for—

(a) the preparation of a statement setting out estimates of the income and expenditure relating to the Bureau for that year, and

(b) submit the statement to the Council for approval.

(2) The statement must—

(a) specify the amounts expected to be collected and recovered during the financial year concerned from the imposition of levies and fees under section 57BE, and

(b) specify any other sources from which funds are expected to be obtained during that year to finance the Bureau's activities and the amounts expected to be raised from those sources, and

(c) specify the activities that the Bureau proposes to undertake during that year.

(3) Before submitting the statement to the Council for approval, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall provide it with particulars of the estimates referred to in subsection (1)(a). As soon as practicable after being provided with those particulars, the Council shall give the Financial Services Ombudsman its views on those estimates.

Financial Services Ombudsman to prepare strategic plan.

57BU.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall, at least 3 months before the beginning of each financial year—

(a) prepare for the year a strategic plan that complies with this section, and

(b) submit the plan to the Council for its approval.

(2) A strategic plan must specify—

(a) the objectives of the activities of the Bureau for the financial year concerned, and

(b) the nature and scope of the activities to be undertaken, and

(c) the strategies and policies for achieving those objectives, and

(d) targets and criteria for assessing the performance of the Bureau, and

(e) the uses for which it is proposed to apply the Bureau's resources.

(3) If the Council has in writing notified the Financial Services Ombudsman of any requirements with respect to the form in which the strategic plan is to be prepared, the plan must comply with those requirements.

(4) As soon as practicable after approving a strategic plan, the Council shall deliver the plan to the Minister.

(5) As soon as practicable after receiving the Financial Services Ombudsman's strategic plan, the Minister shall arrange for a copy of the plan to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(6) On becoming aware that subsection (5) has been complied with, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall—

(a) arrange for the publication of the strategic plan, and

(b) take all reasonably practical steps to implement it.

Financial Services Ombudsman to provide Council and Minister with reports.

57BV.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman is required to provide the Council or the Minister with such reports relating to the activities of the Bureau as the Council or the Minister requires from time to time. However, such a report must not include particulars or comments on any complaint that is then being considered by the Financial Services Ombudsman.

(2) The obligation imposed by subsection (1) is in addition to that imposed by section 57BR.

Financial Services Ombudsman to appear before Oireachtas committee when required.

57BW.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman is required to attend a meeting of a joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas whenever asked to do so by the committee and to provide such information (including documents) as the committee specifies and as is in the possession of, or is available to, that Ombudsman.

(2) Such a committee is not entitled to request the Financial Services Ombudsman to provide information relating to any complaint that is currently under investigation. The Financial Services Ombudsman must refuse to comply with a request from the committee to provide it with any such information.

Complaints about conduct of regulated financial service providers.

57BX.—(1) An eligible consumer may complain to the Financial Services Ombudsman about the conduct of a regulated financial service provider involving—

(a) the provision of a financial service by the financial service provider, or

(b) an offer by the financial service provider to provide such a service, or

(c) a failure by the financial service provider to provide a particular financial service that has been requested.

(2) Except in the case of a complaint that may be within the jurisdiction of the Pensions Ombudsman, the Financial Services Ombudsman has sole responsibility for deciding whether or not a complaint is within that Ombudsman's jurisdiction.

(3) A consumer is not entitled to make a complaint if the conduct complained of—

(a) is or has been the subject of legal proceedings before a court or tribunal, or

(b) occurred more than 6 years before the complaint is made, or

(c) relates to a matter that is within the jurisdiction of the Pensions Ombudsman, or

(d) is of a class prescribed by Council Regulations.

(3A) Despite subsection (3)(a), the Financial Services Ombudsman may accept a complaint against a regulated financial service provider who has begun legal proceedings in relation to a matter to which the complaint relates, but only if that Ombudsman reasonably suspects that the regulated financial service provider has begun those proceedings in order to prevent the making of the complaint, or to frustrate or delay its investigation.

(4) A consumer is entitled to make a complaint in respect of the conduct of a regulated financial service provider even if the conduct complained of occurred before the commencement of this section provided the conduct did not occur more than 6 years before that commencement.

(5) For the purpose of subsections (3) and (4), conduct that is of a continuing nature is taken to have occurred at the time when it stopped and conduct that consists of a series of acts or omissions is taken to have occurred when the last of those acts or omissions occurred.

(6) A consumer is not entitled to make a complaint unless the consumer has previously communicated its substance to the regulated financial service provider concerned and has given that financial service provider a reasonable opportunity to deal with it.

(7) A complaint must be in writing. However, the Financial Services Ombudsman may receive a complaint that is not in writing if that Ombudsman considers it appropriate to do so. In that event, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall reduce the complaint to writing as soon as possible after receiving it.

(8) As soon as practicable after receiving a complaint about the conduct of a regulated financial service provider, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall provide the financial service provider with a copy of the complaint.

(9) The Financial Services Ombudsman may enter into an arrangement with a person under which that person will receive complaints on behalf of that Ombudsman.

(10) A complaint received by a person under such an arrangement is, for the purposes of this Part, taken to have been received by the Financial Services Ombudsman.

(11) If the Regulatory Authority receives a complaint that appears to be within the jurisdiction of the Financial Services Ombudsman, it shall, without delay, refer the complaint to that Ombudsman for investigation. A complaint referred under this subsection is, for the purposes of this Part, taken to have been made under subsection (1) by the consumer concerned.

Duty of Financial Services Ombudsman to investigate complaints.

57BY.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall investigate a complaint if satisfied that the complaint is within the jurisdiction of the Financial Services Ombudsman.

(2) If, immediately before the commencement of this section, a complaint about the conduct of a regulated financial service provider is being dealt with by mediation, investigation or adjudication by a person under a voluntary scheme for the mediation, investigation or adjudication of complaints about that kind of conduct, the Financial Services Ombudsman may, with the consent of the complainant and if satisfied that the complaint is within that Ombudsman's jurisdiction, continue with the mediation, investigation or adjudication of the complaint as if the complainant had made the complaint under this Part after that commencement.

(3) If, immediately before the commencement of this section, a complaint about the conduct of a regulated financial service provider is being dealt with by mediation, investigation or adjudication by the Regulatory Authority, that Ombudsman may, with the consent of the complainant and if satisfied that the complaint is within that Ombudsman's jurisdiction, continue with the mediation, investigation or adjudication of the complaint as if the complainant had made the complaint under this Part after that commencement.

Financial Services Ombudsman may decline to investigate or to continue to investigate complaint.

57BZ.—(1) Without limiting section 57BY, the Financial Services Ombudsman can decide not to investigate a complaint, or to discontinue an investigation of a complaint, on the ground that—

(a) the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or was not made in good faith, or

(b) the subject-matter of the complaint is trivial, or

(c) the conduct complained of occurred at too remote a time to justify investigation, or

(d) there is or was available to the complainant an alternative and satisfactory means of redress in relation to the conduct complained of, or

(e) the complainant has no interest or an insufficient interest in the conduct complained of.

(2) The Financial Services Ombudsman may make preliminary inquiries for the purpose of deciding whether a complaint should be investigated under this Part and may request the complainant to provide further written particulars of the complaint within a period specified by that Ombudsman.

(3) The Financial Services Ombudsman may decide not to continue to investigate a complaint if the complainant fails within a reasonable period to comply with a request for further written particulars.

(4) As soon as practicable after deciding not to investigate a complaint, or to discontinue an investigation of a complaint, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall—

(a) inform the complainant in writing of the decision and the reasons for it, and

(b) provide the Regulatory Authority with a copy of the decision.

Financial Services Ombudsman to attempt to deal with complaint by mediation in first instance.

57CA.—(1) On receiving a complaint, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall, as far as possible, try to resolve the complaint by mediation.

(2) Participation in the mediation by the parties to a complaint is voluntary, and a party may withdraw at any time. The Financial Services Ombudsman may abandon an attempt to resolve a complaint by mediation on forming the view that the attempt is not likely to succeed.

(3) Evidence of anything said or admitted during a mediation, or an attempted mediation, of a complaint, and any document prepared for the purposes of the mediation, are not admissible—

(a) in any subsequent investigation, under this Part, of the complaint (unless the person who made the admission, or to whom the document relates, consents to its admission), or

(b) in any proceedings before a court or a tribunal.

(4) If an attempt to resolve a complaint by mediation is unsuccessful, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall—

(a) deal with the complaint by adjudication, and

(b) notify the parties accordingly.

Persons entitled to make certain submissions to Financial Services Ombudsman.

57CB.—When investigating a complaint, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall provide the parties with an opportunity to make submissions with respect to the conduct complained of.

Financial Services Ombudsman to conduct investigations in private.

57CC.—The Financial Services Ombudsman shall ensure that investigations are conducted in private.

Progress report to complainant.

57CD.—The Financial Services Ombudsman may, in the course of investigating a complaint, periodically report to the complainant on the progress of the investigation and, in so doing, may make such comments to the complainant on the investigation and its consequences and implications as that Ombudsman thinks fit.

Financial Services Ombudsman can require regulated financial service provider to give information.

57CE.—(1) To enable a complaint to be investigated, the Financial Services Ombudsman may require the regulated financial service provider concerned and any associated entity of that financial service provider—

(a) to provide information either orally or in writing, or

(b) to produce any document or other thing, or

(c) to provide a copy of any document,

that appears to that Ombudsman to be relevant to the investigation. However, this subsection does not authorise the Financial Services Ombudsman to require the provision of information, or the production of a document or copy of a document, the communication of which is subject to legal professional privilege.

(2) A requirement under this section may be made orally or be in writing but must specify or describe the information, document or thing required, and must fix a time and specify a place for compliance.

(3) The power conferred by subsection (1) can be exercised in relation to a regulated financial service provider, or an associated entity of the financial service provider, irrespective of whether the Financial Services Ombudsman has entered the premises of the financial service provider in accordance with section 57CF.

(4) For the purpose of obtaining information relevant to investigating or adjudicating a complaint about the conduct of a regulated financial service provider, the Financial Services Ombudsman may—

(a) summon any officer, member, agent or employee of the financial service provider to attend before that Ombudsman, and

(b) examine on oath any such officer, member, agent or employee in relation to any matter that appears to that Ombudsman to be relevant to the investigation or adjudication.

(5) Without limiting subsection (4), the Financial Services Ombudsman has the same powers that a judge of the High Court has when hearing civil proceedings that are before that Court with respect to the examination of witnesses (including witnesses who are outside the State).

(6) A person who is summoned to appear before the Financial Services Ombudsman under this section is entitled to the same rights and privileges as a witness appearing in civil proceedings before the High Court.

(7) Information provided by a person in response to a requirement made under subsection (1), or an answer to a question put to a person in the course of an examination conducted under subsection (4), is not admissible as evidence against the person in criminal proceedings, other than proceedings for—

(a) if the information or answer was provided on oath, perjury, or

(b) an offence against section 57CH.

Financial Services Ombudsman may enter premises of regulated financial service provider or associated entity of such a provider.

57CF.—(1) When investigating a complaint about the conduct of a regulated financial service provider, the Financial Services Ombudsman may, at any reasonable time—

(a) enter and inspect any business premises occupied or used by the financial service provider or by any other body or person who appears to that Ombudsman to be associated with that provider, and

(b) inspect any document or thing in or on the premises.

(2) If a document is kept in a non-legible form, the Financial Services Ombudsman may request the person apparently in charge of the document to reproduce it in a legible form or to give to that Ombudsman such information as that Ombudsman reasonably requires in relation to the document.

Circuit Court may order person to comply with requirements, etc., of Financial Services Ombudsman.

57CG.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman may apply to the Circuit Court for a compliance order against a person if it appears to that Ombudsman that the person—

(a) has failed to comply with a requirement made to the person by that Ombudsman under section 57CE, or

(b) has failed to comply with a summons under that section to appear before that Ombudsman for examination, or

(c) having complied with such a summons, has refused to be examined, or

(d) has otherwise obstructed that Ombudsman in the exercise of a power conferred by this Part.

(2) If, on hearing an application seeking a compliance order against a person, the Circuit Court is satisfied that the person has failed or refused to do the act in question, the Circuit Court may make an order requiring the person to do that act.

(3) The Circuit Court may not hear an application for a compliance order unless—

(a) the person against whom the order is sought appears at the hearing, or

(b) the Court is satisfied that that person has been served with a copy of the application.

(4) On the hearing of an application for a compliance order against a person, the Circuit Court shall set aside a requirement made to the person—

(a) to provide information, or

(b) to produce a document or other thing, or

(c) to provide a copy of a document,

if it is of the opinion that the person is entitled to claim legal professional privilege with respect to the provision of the information, the production of the document or thing or the provision of the copy.

Obstruction of Financial Services Ombudsman in the performance or exercise of functions and powers.

57CH.—A person who—

(a) obstructs the Financial Services Ombudsman in the exercise of a power conferred by this Chapter, or

(b) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement or request made by that Ombudsman under this Chapter, or

(c) in purported compliance with such a requirement or request, gives information that the person knows to be false or misleading, or

(d) refuses to comply with a summons to attend before, or to be examined on oath by, that Ombudsman,

commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both.

Adjudication of complaints.

57CI.—(1) On completing an investigation of a complaint that has not been settled or withdrawn, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall make a finding in writing that the complaint—

(a) is substantiated, or

(b) is not substantiated, or

(c) is partly substantiated in one or more specified respects but not in others.

(2) A complaint may be found to be substantiated or partly substantiated only on one or more of the following grounds:

(a) the conduct complained of was contrary to law;

(b) the conduct complained of was unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or improperly discriminatory in its application to the complainant;

(c) although the conduct complained of was in accordance with a law or an established practice or regulatory standard, the law, practice or standard is, or may be, unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or improperly discriminatory in its application to the complainant;

(d) the conduct complained of was based wholly or partly on an improper motive, an irrelevant ground or an irrelevant consideration;

(e) the conduct complained of was based wholly or partly on a mistake of law or fact;

(f) an explanation for the conduct complained of was not given when it should have been given;

(g) the conduct complained of was otherwise improper.

(3) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall include in a finding—

(a) reasons for the finding, and

(b) any direction given under subsection (4) as a result of the finding.

(4) If a complaint is found to be wholly or partly substantiated, the Financial Services Ombudsman may direct the financial service provider to do one or more of the following:

(a) to review, rectify, mitigate or change the conduct complained of or its consequences;

(b) to provide reasons or explanations for that conduct;

(c) to change a practice relating to that conduct;

(d) to pay an amount of compensation to the complainant for any loss, expense or inconvenience sustained by the complainant as a result of the conduct complained of;

(e) to take any other lawful action.

(5) The Financial Services Ombudsman may not direct the payment of an amount of compensation exceeding an amount (if any) prescribed by Council Regulations.

(6) A direction requiring a regulated financial service provider to pay an amount of compensation may provide for interest to be paid at a specified rate if the amount is not paid by a date specified in the direction.

(7) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall give a copy of a finding under this section—

(a) to the complainant, and

(b) to the regulated financial service provider to which the complaint relates.

(8) If a finding under this section contains a direction under subsection (4), the financial service provider concerned—

(a) shall comply with the direction within such period as is specified in the direction, or within such extended period as the Financial Services Ombudsman allows, and

(b) shall, within 14 days after the end of that period or extended period, notify in writing the Financial Services Ombudsman of action taken or proposed to be taken in consequence of the direction.

(9) Subject to the outcome of any appeal against a finding of the Financial Services Ombudsman in respect of a complaint, the finding is binding on the complainant, the regulated financial service provider concerned and every other person who is a party to the complaint.

Enforcement of Financial Services Ombudsman's directions.

57CJ.—(1) In this section—

‘direction’ means a direction included in a finding made by the Financial Services Ombudsman under section 57CI;

‘enforcement order’ means an order of the Circuit Court to enforce a direction.

(2) If a regulated financial service provider fails to comply with a direction within the period, or by the date, specified in the direction, the Financial Services Ombudsman or the complainant in whose favour the finding was made may apply to the Circuit Court for an enforcement order in respect of the direction.

(3) The Circuit Court may not hear an application for an enforcement order unless—

(a) the regulated financial service provider concerned appears at the hearing as respondent to the application, or

(b) if that financial service provider does not appear at the hearing, the Court is satisfied that a copy of the application has been served on that financial service provider.

(4) On hearing an application for an order to enforce the direction, the Circuit Court shall, if satisfied that the direction was one that the Financial Services Ombudsman was empowered to make, make an order requiring the regulated financial service provider concerned to comply with the direction within a period, or by a date, specified in the order.

(5) The Circuit Court may not hear an application for an enforcement order in respect of a direction if the regulated financial service provider concerned has appealed against the finding in which the direction is included and either—

(a) the finding or direction has not been affirmed (with or without modification), or

(b) that financial service provider has not withdrawn the appeal.

(6) If, on the hearing of an application for an enforcement order, the Circuit Court is satisfied that, because of the lapse of time, it would not be possible for the regulated financial service provider concerned to comply with such an order, the Court shall make an order providing the complainant with such redress as it considers appropriate in the circumstances.

(7) If an enforcement order requires a regulated financial service provider to pay an amount of money, the Circuit Court may direct that financial service provider to pay to the complainant concerned interest on the amount for all or a specified part of the period—

(a) beginning 4 weeks after the date on which the direction was given to that financial service provider, and

(b) ending with the date of the order.

(8) The interest payable on such an amount is to be at the rate referred to in section 22 of the Courts Act 1981 .

Financial Services Ombudsman may refer question of law of High Court.

57CK.—(1) When dealing with a complaint, the Financial Services Ombudsman may, on that Ombudsman's own initiative or at the request of the complainant or the regulated financial service provider concerned, refer for the opinion of the High Court a question of law arising in relation to the investigation or adjudication of the complaint.

(2) The High Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine any question of law referred to it under this section.

(3) If a question of law has been referred to the High Court under this section, the Financial Services Ombudsman may not—

(a) make a finding to which the question is relevant while the reference is pending, or

(b) proceed in a manner, or make a decision, that is inconsistent with the opinion of the High Court on the question.

Right of appeal to High Court against Financial Services Ombudsman's finding.

57CL.—(1) If dissatisfied with a finding of the Financial Services Ombudsman, the complainant or the regulated financial service provider concerned may appeal to the High Court against the finding.

(2) The Financial Services Ombudsman can be made a party to an appeal under this section.

(3) An appeal under this section must be made—

(a) within such period and in such manner as is prescribed by rules of court of the High Court, or

(b) within such further period as that Court may allow.

Orders on appeal to the High Court relating to Financial Services Ombudsman's finding.

57CM.—(1) The High Court is to hear and determine an appeal made under section 57CL and may make such orders as it thinks appropriate in light of its determination.

(2) The orders that may be made by the High Court on the hearing of such an appeal include (but are not limited to) the following:

(a) an order affirming the finding of the Financial Services Ombudsman, with or without modification;

(b) an order setting aside that finding or any direction included in it;

(c) an order remitting that finding or any such direction to that Ombudsman for review.

(3) If the High Court makes an order remitting to the Financial Services Ombudsman a finding or direction of that Ombudsman for review, that Ombudsman is required to review the finding or direction in accordance with the directions of the Court.

(4) The determination of the High Court on the hearing of such an appeal is final, except that a party to the appeal may apply to the Supreme Court to review the determination on a question of law (but only with the leave of either of those Courts).

Appeal stays the finding of the Financial Services Ombudsman.

57CN.—A finding of the Financial Services Ombudsman does not take effect, and may not be implemented, while an appeal under section 57CL or an application under section 57CM(4) is pending in relation to the finding.

Protection and other provisions relating to disclosures of information.

57CO.—(1) A provision of any Act or law that prohibits or restricts the disclosure of information does not—

(a) operate to prevent or restrict the disclosure of information, or

(b) affect a duty to disclose information,

under this Part.

(2) A person who discloses information under or for the purpose of this Part does not incur liability for defamation or other civil liability only because of the disclosure.

(3) Nothing in this Part affects an obligation or power to provide information apart from this Part.

Power of Court to grant injunctions in certain cases.

57CP.—(1) The High Court may, on an application made by the Financial Services Ombudsman, grant an injunction restraining conduct in which a regulated financial service provider is engaging or in which a regulated financial service provider appears likely to engage, if the conduct is conduct that is being investigated or is proposed to be investigated under this Part.

(2) The High Court may not grant an application under subsection (1) unless of the opinion that the conduct sought to be restrained is likely to prejudice or negate the effect or implementation of a decision that the Financial Services Ombudsman might make under this Chapter if that Ombudsman were to find the complaint to which the conduct relates is wholly or partly substantiated.

(3) The High Court may not require the Financial Services Ombudsman to give any undertaking as to damages as a condition for the granting of an injunction in consequence of an application referred to in subsection (1).

Financial Services Ombudsman and Council to co-operate with Regulatory Authority and others.

57CQ.—(1) The Council and the Financial Services Ombudsman shall co-operate with the Regulatory Authority (and, in particular, the Consumer Director) and the Pensions Ombudsman with a view to ensuring that the provisions of this Part operate in a way that contributes to promoting the best interests of consumers of financial services and to the efficient and effective handling of complaints.

(1A) The Financial Services Ombudsman shall, whenever asked to do so by the Regulatory Authority, provide that Authority with records or copies of records, or information, dealing with specified matters, or matters of a specified kind, relevant to the performance of that Authority's functions.

(2) The Council and the Financial Services Ombudsman may make recommendations to the Regulatory Authority, the Consumer Director and the Registrar of Credit Unions with respect to measures that that Authority, Director and Registrar might take so as—

(a) to effectively deal with persistent patterns of complaints made against specified regulated financial service providers or against a specified class of those financial service providers, or

(b) to improve the way in which regulated financial service providers deal with complaints that are made against them, or

(c) to effectively deal with any other matter relating to promoting the interests of consumers of financial services.

(3) As soon as practicable after the commencement of this section, the Financial Services Ombudsman, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Regulatory Authority shall enter into a memorandum of understanding setting out the terms under which they agree to give effect to this section.

Definitions (Chapter 8)

57CR.—(1) In this Chapter—

‘complaint’ includes a complaint within the meaning of the EEA Memorandum of Understanding;

‘EEA Memorandum of Understanding’ means the Memorandum of Understanding on a Cross-border Out-of-court Complaints Network for Financial Services in the European Economic Area or, if the memorandum is amended or is replaced by another memorandum, means the memorandum as so amended or that other memorandum.

Financial Services Ombudsman may subscribe to EEA Memorandum of Understanding.

57CS.—The Financial Services Ombudsman may, with the approval of the Council, subscribe to the EEA Memorandum of Understanding.

Financial Services Ombudsman may refer complaints to other EEA dispute settlement body.

57CT.—If the Financial Services Ombudsman subscribed to the EEA Memorandum of Understanding, that Ombudsman may refer a complaint made to that Ombudsman to another EEA dispute settlement body in accordance with the terms of that Memorandum.

Financial Services Ombudsman may mediate, investigate and adjudicate complaints referred by other EEA dispute settlement bodies.

57CU.—If the Financial Services Ombudsman has subscribed to the EEA Memorandum of Understanding, that Ombudsman may mediate, investigate and adjudicate on any complaint referred to that Ombudsman by another EEA dispute settlement body in accordance with the terms of that Memorandum.”.

Interpretation: Part VIIC.

57CV.—In this Part—

‘advisory group’ means an advisory group established under section 57DG;

‘Consultative Consumer Panel’ means the Financial Services Consultative Consumer Panel established under section 57CW;

‘Consultative Industry Panel’ means the Financial Services Consultative Industry Panel established under section 57CW;

‘Consultative Panel’ means the Consultative Consumer Panel or the Consultative Industry Panel;

‘policy document’ means any document that embodies policies or principles relating to the regulation of financial services within the State;

‘proposed policy document’ means any document that embodies proposals for policies or principles relating to the regulation of financial services within the State;

‘proposed regulatory document’ means a regulation, rule, code of conduct or other document that is proposed to have legislative effect with respect to financial service providers or any specified class of financial service providers;

‘Regulatory Authority’ includes any member or officer of the Regulatory Authority, or employee of the Bank, to whom a function or power of that Authority is delegated;

‘regulatory document’ means a regulation, rule, code of conduct or other document that has legislative effect with respect to financial service providers or any specified class of financial service providers.

Establishment and membership of Consultative Panels.

57CW.—(1) The Regulatory Authority shall establish and maintain two consultative panels.

(2) One of the panels is to be called the ‘Financial Services Consultative Consumer Panel’ and the other is to be called the ‘Financial Services Consultative Industry Panel’.

(3) As soon as practicable after establishing a Consultative Panel, the Regulatory Authority shall publish in Iris Oifigiúil a notice to the effect that the Panel has been established and the date on which the establishment took effect.

Membership of Consultative Consumer Panel.

57CX.—(1) The Consultative Consumer Panel is to consist of not fewer than 5, and not more than 20, members.

(2) The members of the Consultative Consumer Panel are to be appointed by the Minister for Finance after consulting the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and those organisations that, in the opinion of the Minister for Finance, represent the interests of consumers.

(3) In appointing persons as members to the Consultative Consumer Panel, the Minister shall ensure as far as possible that those persons have knowledge or experience of or as consumers of financial services.

(4) A person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of the Consultative Consumer Panel if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(5) A member of the Consultative Consumer Panel holds office for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the member's document of appointment, unless the member ceases to hold office under Schedule 8.

(6) A member is eligible for reappointment at the end of a period of office.

(7) The Minister shall appoint one of the members of the Consultative Consumer Panel to be chairperson of the Panel.

Functions of Consultative Consumer Panel.

57CY.—The functions of the Consultative Consumer Panel are as follows:

(a) to monitor the performance by the Regulatory Authority of its functions and responsibilities under this Act;

(b) to provide the Regulatory Authority with comments with respect to the performance of its functions and responsibilities;

(ba) to provide the Regulatory Authority with comments and suggestions with respect to the performance of the financial services industry;

(c) to provide the Regulatory Authority with suggestions for initiatives that, in the Panel's opinion, that Authority should take with respect to the performance of its functions and responsibilities;

(d) when the Regulatory Authority so requests, to comment on a policy document or regulatory document, or a proposed policy document or proposed regulatory document, prepared by that Authority;

(e) to provide the Regulatory Authority with comments on that Authority's draft estimate of income and expenditure for each financial year.

Regulatory Authority to provide sufficient resources to enable Consultative Consumer Panel to function.

57CZ.—(1) The Regulatory Authority shall provide the Consultative Consumer Panel with such administrative services (including technical and legal advice), and such funds, as that Authority believes are necessary to enable that Panel to perform its functions.

(2) The Regulatory Authority shall arrange for an officer or employee of the Bank nominated by that Authority to attend a meeting of the Consultative Consumer Panel whenever the chairperson of the Panel asks that Authority to do so.

Membership of Consultative Industry Panel.

57DA.—(1) The Consultative Industry Panel is to consist of not fewer than 5, and not more than 20, members.

(2) The members of the Consultative Industry Panel are to be appointed by the Minister for Finance after consulting the Taoiseach, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and those organisations that, in the opinion of the Minister for Finance, represent the interests of financial service providers.

(3) In appointing persons as members to the Consultative Industry Panel, the Minister shall ensure as far as possible that those persons have knowledge or experience of the financial services industry.

(4) A person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of the Consultative Industry Panel if the person—

(a) is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member, or

(b) is a member of the European Parliament or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(c) is a member of a local authority or is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as such a member.

(5) A member of the Consultative Industry Panel holds office for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the member's document of appointment, unless the member ceases to hold office under Schedule 8.

(6) A member of the Consultative Industry Panel is eligible for reappointment at the end of a period of office.

(7) The Minister shall appoint one of the members of the Consultative Industry Panel to be chairperson of the Panel.

Functions of Consultative Industry Panel.

57DB.—The functions of the Consultative Industry Panel are as follows:

(a) when the Regulatory Authority so requests, to comment on a policy document or regulatory document, or a proposed policy document or proposed regulatory document, prepared by that Authority;

(b) to provide the Regulatory Authority with comments on levies and fees that that Authority proposes to prescribe under section 33J or 33K;

(c) to provide the Regulatory Authority with comments on that Authority's draft estimate of income and expenditure for each financial year;

(d) to provide the Regulatory Authority with comments on the impact that the conditions and restrictions imposed by that Authority on financial service providers have on the competitiveness of those providers;

(e) to provide the Regulatory Authority with comments with respect to changing trends within the financial services industry that have implications for the functions and responsibilities of that Authority.

Regulatory Authority to provide sufficient resources to enable Consultative Industry Panel to function.

57DC.—(1) The Regulatory Authority shall provide the Consultative Industry Panel with such administrative services (including technical and legal advice) as that Authority believes are necessary to enable that Panel to perform its functions.

(2) The Regulatory Authority shall arrange for an officer or employee of the Bank nominated by that Authority to attend a meeting of the Consultative Industry Panel whenever the chairperson of the Panel asks that Authority to do so.

Schedule 8 to have effect with respect to Consultative Panels.

57DD.—Schedule 8 has effect with respect to a Consultative Panel.

Consultative Panel to prepare annual report.

57DE.—(1) Within 3 months after the end of each financial year, or within such extended period as the Regulatory Authority allows, each Consultative Panel shall prepare an annual report that provides details of the Panel's activities during that year.

(2) The Regulatory Authority shall arrange for publication of the annual report of each Panel.

(3) The Regulatory Authority shall also arrange for publication of—

(a) comments made by a Consultative Panel to that Authority in accordance with a provision of this Part, and

(b) any statement of reasons given by that Authority in response to any such comments, and

(c) reports of meetings of the Consultative Panels and advisory groups, and

(d) any other report produced or commissioned by a Consultative Panel or an advisory group, and

(e) the rules of procedure of the Consultative Panels.

Responsibilities of Regulatory Authority and Minister with respect to Consultative Panels.

57DF.—(1) Before making or issuing a policy document or a regulatory document, the Regulatory Authority shall consult each Consultative Panel, unless that Authority believes that the document must be made or issued without delay. In that case, the Regulatory Authority shall consult each of the Panels as soon as possible after the document is made or issued.

(2) In making or issuing a policy document or regulatory document, the Regulatory Authority shall take into account the advice (if any) provided by a Consultative Panel on any aspect of the document. If the Regulatory Authority declines to give effect to any particular advice provided by the Panel, it shall provide the Panel with a written statement setting out its reasons for declining to give effect to the advice and shall, if the Panel so requires, publish the statement.

(3) The Minister shall consult each Consultative Panel before approving the Regulatory Authority's draft estimate of income and expenditure for a financial year.

(4) If the Regulatory Authority makes or issues a policy document or regulatory document, a failure of that Authority to comply with subsection (1) in relation to the document does not of itself invalidate the document.

Establishment and operation of advisory groups.

57DG.—(1) A Consultative Panel, or the Consultative Panels jointly, may, with the consent of the Regulatory Authority, establish advisory groups to advise the Panel or Panels on any matter relating to financial services or providers of those services on which the Panel or Panels ask for advice.

(2) An advisory group is to consist of at least one member of the Panel or Panels that established it.

(3) As soon as practicable after being asked by a Consultative Panel, or by the Consultative Panels jointly, to provide advice on a matter, an advisory group shall provide the advice to the Panel or Panels that asked for the advice.

(4) The Regulatory Authority may consult an advisory group on a matter relating to financial services or to providers of those services directly without reference to—

(a) the Consultative Panel that established it, or

(b) if the group was established by the Consultative Panels jointly, those Panels.

(5) An advisory group may decide its own procedure for convening meetings of the group and for the conduct of business at those meetings.

(6) Within 3 months after the end of each financial year, an advisory group shall provide a report of its activities during that year to—

(a) the Consultative Panel that established it, or

(b) if the group was established by the Consultative Panels jointly, those Panels.

The report required under this subsection is in addition to any report that the group is required to provide under subsection (3).

(7) An advisory group continues in existence until dissolved—

(a) by the Consultative Panel that established it, or

(b) if the group was established by the Consultative Panels jointly, by those Panels jointly.

(8) The fact that an advisory group has been dissolved under subsection (7) does not prevent another advisory group or other advisory groups from being established under this section.

Chairperson of Consultative Panel to attend meetings of relevant Oireachtas Joint Committee when required.

57DH.—(1) The chairperson of a Consultative Panel shall attend a meeting of the relevant Joint Committee of the Oireachtas whenever that Committee requires that chairperson to do so.

(2) When attending a meeting of the relevant Joint Committee of the Oireachtas, the chairperson of a Consultative Panel shall provide that Committee with such information as it reasonably requires about matters with which the Panel is or has been concerned.

(3) In this section, ‘relevant Joint Committee of the Oireachtas’ means a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas to which the Oireachtas has assigned the role of examining matters relating to the operation of the Regulatory Authority.”.

“How the Bank may give or serve notices and other documents.

61G.—(1) If a provision of this Act or the regulations, or a provision of a designated enactment or designated statutory instrument, requires or authorises the Bank or the Regulatory Authority to give or serve a notice or other document, the notice or other document may be given or served—

(a) in the case of a natural person—

(i) by delivering the notice or other document to the person personally, or

(ii) by leaving the notice or other document at, or by sending it by prepaid post to, the person's residential or business address last known to the Bank or Regulatory Authority,

or

(b) in the case of a body corporate—

(i) by leaving the notice or other document at, or

(ii) by sending it by prepaid post to, the head office, a registered office or a principal office of the body corporate,

or

(c) in the case of a partnership—

(i) by delivering the notice or other document to one of the partners personally, or

(ii) by leaving the notice or other document at, or by sending it by prepaid post to the head office or a principal office of the partnership.

(2) Nothing in this section limits the operation of any provision of any law that requires or authorises a notice or other document to be given or served in a manner not provided for by this section.

(3) The regulations may—

(a) enable the Bank or Regulatory Authority to give or serve notices or other documents, or any specified class of notices or other documents, by a method other than one specified in subsection (1), and

(b) provide for a notice or document of a specified class to be given or served only in the manner prescribed by the regulations.”.

Secretary to the Council.

1.—The Chairperson shall, with the agreement of the Financial Services Ombudsman, designate a member of the Bureau staff to be Secretary to the Council.

Provision of services to the Council.

2.—Whenever the Chairperson requests, the Financial Services Ombudsman shall, so far as it is possible to do so, arrange for the Council to be provided with such administrative services (including technical and legal advice) as the Council requires to enable it to perform its functions.

Members of Council entitled to certain fees and allowances.

3.—Members of the Council are entitled to be paid such fees and travelling and subsistence allowances as the Minister approves. Those fees and allowances are payable out of the funds of the Bureau.

Termination of membership of Council.

4.—(1) A person ceases to be a member if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not reappointed, or

(c) resigns the office by notice in writing addressed to the Minister, or

(d) has, without the permission of the other members, been absent from meetings of the Council for a consecutive period of 6 months, or

(e) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of either House of the Oireachtas, or

(f) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of the European Parliament or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(g) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority, or

(h) is adjudged bankrupt (either in the State or elsewhere) or enters into a composition with the person's creditors, or

(i) becomes physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of a member, or

(j) is convicted of an offence (either in the State or elsewhere) and sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment for the offence, or

(k) is removed from office under subparagraph (2).

(2) The Minister may remove an appointed member from office—

(a) for proven misconduct or incompetence, or

(b) in order to enable the Council to function effectively.

Filling vacancy in office of member.

5.—(1) If the office of a member becomes vacant, the Minister is required to arrange for a suitably qualified person to be appointed to fill the vacancy in accordance with this Act within 60 days after the date on which the vacancy occurred.

(2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply if the term of office of the member concerned was due to expire within 60 days after the vacancy occurred.

Procedure for convening and holding meetings of Council.

6.—The procedure for convening meetings of the Council and for the conduct of business at those meetings is, subject to this Schedule, to be as determined by the Council. The Council may determine that procedure by means of rules or standing orders or by any other means.

Quorums at meetings of Council.

7.—The quorum for a meeting of the Council is a majority of the members of the Council.

Who is to preside at meetings of Council.

8.—A meeting of the Council is to be presided over by—

(a) the Chairperson, or

(b) in the absence of the Chairperson, a member elected by the members of the Council present at the meeting.

Voting at Council meetings.

9.—(1) A decision supported by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the Council at which a quorum is present is the decision of the Council.

(2) If the votes are equal on a motion put at a meeting of the Council, the person who is presiding at the meeting has a casting as well as a deliberative vote.

Transaction of business otherwise than at ordinary meetings.

10.—(1) The Council may, if it thinks fit, transact any of its business by the circulation of papers among all its existing members. A resolution approved in writing by a majority of those members is taken to be a decision of the Council.

(2) The Council may, if it thinks fit, transact any of its business at a meeting at which its members (or some of its members) participate by telephone, closed circuit television or other means, but only if any member who speaks on a matter being considered by the meeting can be heard by the other members. For the purposes of—

(a) the approval of a resolution under subparagraph (1), or

(b) a meeting held in accordance with subparagraph (2),

the members of the Council have the same voting rights as they have at an ordinary meeting of the Council.

(3) Papers may be circulated among Council members for the purposes of subparagraph (1) by the electronic transmission of the information in the papers concerned.

Vacation of office of Financial Services Ombudsman and Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman.

1.—(1) A person ceases to hold office as the Financial Services Ombudsman or as a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not reappointed, or

(c) resigns the office by notice in writing addressed to the Council, or

(d) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of either House of the Oireachtas, or

(e) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of the European Parliament or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(f) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority, or

(g) is adjudged bankrupt (either in the State or elsewhere) or enters into a composition with the person's creditors, or

(h) becomes physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of Financial Services Ombudsman or Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman, or

(i) is convicted of an offence (either in the State or elsewhere) and sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment for the offence, or

(j) is removed from office under subparagraph (2).

(2) The Council may remove the Financial Services Ombudsman or a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman from office—

(a) for proven misconduct or incompetence, or

(b) if the removal appears to the Council to be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the office concerned.

Remuneration and conditions of service of Financial Services Ombudsman and Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman.

2.—(1) The Financial Services Ombudsman and each Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman is entitled to be paid such remuneration and allowances (including travel and subsistence allowances) as the Council decides.

(2) A decision of the Council under this paragraph does not take effect until approved by the Minister.

Financial Services Ombudsman and Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman not to engage in paid employment without approval.

3.—Neither the Financial Services Ombudsman nor a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman may engage in paid employment outside the duties of the office unless the Council approves the employment.

Superannuation schemes for the benefit of Financial Services Ombudsman and Deputy Financial Services Ombudsmen.

4.—(1) In this paragraph—

‘superannuation scheme’ means a superannuation scheme prepared under subparagraph (2) or (4), and if the scheme is amended in accordance with this paragraph, means the scheme as amended;

‘beneficiary’ means the Financial Services Ombudsman or a Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman or a person who formerly held either of those offices.

(2) The Council shall prepare a scheme for the provision of superannuation benefits to or in respect of the Financial Services Ombudsman and each Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman and any person who formerly held any of those offices. More than one scheme may be prepared under this subparagraph. However, a scheme prepared under this subparagraph does not take effect until the Minister has approved it.

(3) The Council shall ensure that a superannuation scheme prescribes the conditions under which a beneficiary and the beneficiary's dependants will be eligible to receive superannuation benefits under the scheme. Different conditions may be prescribed according to the differing circumstances that apply to a particular beneficiary or the dependants of the beneficiary.

(4) The Council may from time to time prepare an amendment to a superannuation scheme, or a new superannuation scheme to be substituted for an existing scheme. However, an amendment to a superannuation scheme or a substituted superannuation scheme prepared under this subparagraph does not take effect until the Minister has approved it.

(5) The Council is responsible for ensuring that a superannuation scheme is approved by the Minister under this paragraph.

(6) Except with the written consent of the Minister, the Council may not provide superannuation benefits to or in respect of a beneficiary or make arrangements for the provision of such benefits otherwise than in accordance with a superannuation scheme approved by the Minister in accordance with this paragraph.

(7) The Council is responsible for conciliating and settling any dispute that arises in relation to a claim made by a beneficiary or a dependant of a beneficiary for or in respect of the payment of a superannuation benefit under a superannuation scheme approved by the Minister.

Superannuation schemes for the benefit of staff of the Bureau.

5.—(1) In this paragraph—

‘superannuation benefit’ means a superannuation benefit payable to a beneficiary or, if the beneficiary has died, to the spouse or a child of the beneficiary, and includes a pension, a retirement allowance and a gratuity;

‘superannuation scheme’ means a superannuation scheme prepared under subparagraph (2) or (4), and if the scheme is amended in accordance with this paragraph, means the scheme as amended;

‘beneficiary’ means a member or former member of the Bureau staff.

(2) The Council shall prepare a scheme for the provision of superannuation benefits to or in respect of members and former members of the Bureau staff. More than one scheme may be prepared under this subparagraph. However, a scheme prepared under this subparagraph does not take effect until the Minister has approved it.

(3) The Council shall ensure that a superannuation scheme prescribes the ages at which a beneficiary must retire and the conditions under which a beneficiary and the beneficiary's dependants will be eligible to receive superannuation benefits under the scheme. Different retirement ages and eligibility conditions may be prescribed according to the differing circumstances that apply to a particular beneficiary or the dependants of the beneficiary.

(4) The Council may from time to time prepare an amendment to a superannuation scheme, or a new superannuation scheme to be substituted for an existing scheme. However, an amendment to a superannuation scheme, or a substituted superannuation scheme, prepared under this subparagraph does not take effect until the Minister has approved it.

(5) The Council is responsible for ensuring that a superannuation scheme is approved by the Minister in accordance with this paragraph.

(6) Except with the written consent of the Minister, the Council may not provide superannuation benefits to or in respect of a beneficiary or make arrangements for the provision of such benefits otherwise than in accordance with a superannuation scheme approved by the Minister in accordance with this paragraph.

(7) The Council is responsible for conciliating and settling any dispute that arises in relation to a claim made by a beneficiary or a dependant of a beneficiary for or in respect of the payment of a superannuation benefit under a superannuation scheme approved by the Minister.

Council to arrange for superannuation schemes and amendments to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

6.—(1) As soon as practicable after the Minister has approved a superannuation scheme or an amendment to such a scheme in accordance with paragraph 4 or 5, the Council shall arrange for a copy of the document embodying the scheme or amendment to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(2) Within 21 sitting days after a superannuation scheme or an amendment to such a scheme is laid before a House of the Oireachtas in accordance with subparagraph (1), the House may pass a resolution annulling the scheme or amendment. However, the annulment of such a scheme or amendment does not affect the validity of anything previously done under the scheme or the scheme as amended.

(3) If an amendment to a superannuation scheme is annulled under subparagraph (2), the scheme continues to have effect as if the amendment had never been made.”.

Members of Consultative Panel entitled to expense allowances.

1.—A member of a Consultative Panel is entitled to be paid from the funds of the Regulatory Authority such attendance, travelling and subsistence allowances as that Authority determines.

Termination of membership of Consultative Panel.

2.—(1) A person ceases to be a member of a Consultative Panel if the person—

(a) dies, or

(b) completes a term of office and is not reappointed, or

(c) resigns from membership by notice in writing addressed to the Minister, or

(d) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of either House of the Oireachtas, or

(e) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of the European Parliament or to fill a vacancy in the membership of that Parliament, or

(f) is, with the person's consent, nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority, or

(g) is adjudged bankrupt (either in the State or elsewhere) or enters into a composition with the person's creditors, or

(h) becomes physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of a member, or

(i) is convicted of an offence (either in the State or elsewhere) and sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment for the offence, or

(j) is removed from membership under subparagraph (3).

(2) A member's resignation does not take effect until the end of the meeting of the relevant Consultative Panel next held after the notice of resignation was given to the Minister.

(3) The Minister may, after consulting the Regulatory Authority, remove a person from membership of a Consultative Panel for a specified reason.

(4) If a person is removed from membership of a Consultative Panel, the Minister is required to give the person a statement in writing specifying the reason.

Meetings of Consultative Panels.

3.—A Consultative Panel may determine its own procedure for convening meetings of the Panel and for the conduct of business at those meetings. The Panel may determine that procedure by means of rules or standing orders or by any other means.”.

Interpretation (Part IV).

24.—(1) In this Part—

‘affiliate’, in relation to an auditor, means a firm or body corporate specified by subsection (2) as being an affiliate of the auditor;

‘company’ has the same meaning as in section 2 (1) of the Companies Act 1963 ;

‘firm’ has the same meaning as in section 4 of the Partnership Act 1890 ;

‘guideline’ means a guideline issued under section 27A or, if such a guideline is amended, means the guideline as amended;

‘public authority’ means a body (whether corporate or incorporate) established or constituted by or under an Act that performs one or more public functions;

‘relevant obligations’, in relation to a regulated financial service provider, means the service provider's obligations under—

(a) all designated enactments and all designated statutory instruments that apply to it, and

(b) all codes, guidelines and notices issued by the Bank that apply to it, and

(c) all other enactments and statutory instruments with which it must comply;

‘work’, in relation to an auditor, includes all work of an accounting, financial or advisory nature that an auditor does for a financial service provider as well as work involved in auditing the financial service provider's accounts.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, each of the following is an affiliate of an auditor in a financial year:

(a) in the case of an auditor that is a firm—

(i) any other firm that, at any time during the financial year, was under the same ownership and control as the auditor,

(ii) any body corporate in which the auditor, any firm mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (iv) or any body corporate mentioned in subparagraph (iii) or (iv) was, at any time in the financial year, entitled to exercise or control the exercise of 20 per cent or more of the voting rights at a general meeting,

(iii) any body corporate that was, at any time in the financial year, in the same group as a body corporate mentioned in subparagraph (ii),

(iv) any other firm, or body corporate, that because of the use of a common name or corporate identity or the sharing of common professional services could reasonably be considered to be associated with the auditor,

(b) in the case of an auditor who is a natural person—

(i) any partnership in which the auditor was, at any time in the financial year, a partner,

(ii) any body corporate in which the auditor, any partnership mentioned in subparagraph (i) or any body corporate mentioned in subparagraph (iii) was, at any time in the financial year, entitled to exercise or control the exercise of 20 per cent or more of the voting rights at a general meeting,

(iii) any body corporate that was, at any time in the financial year, in the same group as a body corporate mentioned in subparagraph (ii).

(3) For the purposes of this Part, a director of a regulated financial service provider that is a body corporate is taken to be concerned in the management of the financial service provider even though the director is not involved in its day to day management.

Obligation of regulated service provider to provide compliance statement when required to do so by the Bank.

25.—(1) The Bank may, whenever it considers appropriate, serve on a regulated financial service provider a notice requiring the service provider to comply with this section.

(2) The Bank may also serve such a notice at the request of another public authority only if it is of the opinion that it would be in the public interest to do so.

(3) A notice must specify a reasonable period within which the requirement is to be complied with and, if the notice is served at the request of another public authority, it must specify the name and address of that authority.

(4) A regulated financial service provider on whom a notice is served shall provide the Bank with a compliance statement within the required period.

(5) If the compliance statement is provided at the request of another public authority, the financial service provider concerned shall, also within the required period, provide the public authority with a copy of the statement.

(6) A compliance statement must, in accordance with any relevant guideline, specify whether the regulated financial service provider concerned has, during the compliance period specified in the notice, complied with its relevant obligations, or with such of them as are specified in the notice.

(7) A compliance statement must also comply with the guidelines (if any) from time to time issued under section 27A (1).

(7A) In the case of a regulated financial service provider that is a company to which section 205E of the Companies Act 1990 applies, the Bank may, instead of serving on the financial service provider a notice under this section, rely on a compliance statement prepared under that section if it is satisfied that the statement contains the information that would be required to be included in a compliance statement under this section.

(8) In this section—

‘notice’ means a notice in writing served under this section;

‘required period’, in relation to a notice served on a regulated financial service provider, means the period specified in the notice within which the service provider must comply with the notice or, if the Bank extends that period, that extended period.

Compliance statement to be accompanied by auditor's report if required.

26.—(1) If a notice served under section 25 so requires, the financial service provider concerned shall request that service provider's auditor to prepare a report about the relevant compliance statement.

(2) Within such period as is specified in the notice, the auditor shall prepare a report about the relevant compliance statement and deliver the report to the financial service provider concerned.

(3) Such a report must—

(a) state whether the relevant compliance statement is, in the auditor's opinion, fair and reasonable in the light of the information obtained by the auditor, or by an affiliate of the auditor, in the course of undertaking work for the service provider, and

(b) if the auditor is of the opinion that the compliance statement is not fair and reasonable, specify the reasons why, in the auditor's opinion, that statement is not fair and reasonable.

(4) As soon as practicable after receiving a report prepared in accordance with this section, the financial service provider concerned shall—

(a) attach the report to the compliance statement, or

(b) if that statement has already been delivered to the Bank, deliver the report to the Bank, and if another public authority requested the compliance statement, also deliver a copy of the report to the public authority.

(5) If a report prepared in accordance with this section relates to a financial service provider that is a company, the auditor shall include a copy of the report in the auditor's report on the company's accounts that are required to be laid before the company in general meeting.

Offences under section 25 or 26.

27.—(1) A regulated financial service provider who fails to comply with a requirement of section 25 or 26 commits an offence and is—

(a) if tried summarily, liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000, or

(b) if tried on indictment, liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €75,000.

(2) A regulated financial service provider who, having been convicted of an offence of failing to comply with a requirement of section 25 or 26, continues to fail to comply with the requirement commits a further offence on each day or part of a day during which the failure continues after that conviction and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €200 for each such day or part of a day, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €7,500 for each such day or part of a day.

(3) If a regulated financial service provider that is a body corporate commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2), each person who, at the time when the offence is found to have been committed, was concerned in the management of the body commits a separate offence, unless the person establishes that—

(a) the body committed the offence without the person's knowledge, or

(b) although the person did have that knowledge, the person took all reasonably practicable steps to prevent the commission of the offence.

(4) A person may be charged with having committed an offence under subsection (3) even if the financial service provider concerned is not charged with having committed an offence under subsection (1) in relation to the same matter.

(5) A person who is convicted of an offence under subsection (3) is liable to a fine not exceeding that prescribed by subsection (1) or (2) for a regulated financial service provider.

Bank may issue guidelines.

27A.—(1) The Bank may from time to time issue guidelines with which a compliance statement must comply.

(2) The Bank may also from time to time issue guidelines specifying the manner in which the persons concerned in the management of regulated financial service providers, or of regulated financial service providers of a specified class, are required to exercise control over those service providers so as to ensure that those service providers comply with their obligations under the designated enactments and designated statutory instruments that apply to them.

(3) Whenever the Bank issues guidelines under this section, or amends or revokes those guidelines, the Bank must publish in Iris Oifigiúil a notice—

(a) stating that the guidelines have been issued, or have been amended or revoked, and

(b) specifying a place or places where copies of the guidelines, or the amendment or revocation, may be obtained.

(4) The Bank shall publish guidelines issued under this section, or any amendment or revocation of those guidelines, in a publication chosen by the Bank.

(5) Guidelines issued under this section take effect on the date on which the notice of their issue is published in Iris Oifigiúil or on such later date as is specified in the publication.

(6) The Bank may amend or revoke guidelines issued under this section.

(7) An amendment or revocation of a guideline issued under this section takes effect on the date on which notice of the amendment or revocation is published in Iris Oifigiúil or on such later date as is specified in the notice.

(8) All courts and tribunals are required to take judicial notice of guidelines in force under this section.

Auditor of regulated financial service provider to lodge annual report with Bank.

27B.—(1) This section applies to an auditor who is required by or in accordance with a prescribed enactment to report a matter to the Bank.

(2) Within 1 month after the date of the auditor's report on the financial service provider's accounts, or within such extended period as the Bank allows, the auditor of the service provider shall deliver a written report to the Bank—

(a) stating whether or not circumstances have arisen that require the auditor to report a matter to the Bank under a prescribed enactment and, if such circumstances have arisen, specify those circumstances, and

(b) where the service provider has, during that financial year, been required to provide the Bank with a compliance statement stating whether or not the requirement has been complied with.

(3) A report under this section must be in a form publicly notified by the Bank.

(4) The following are prescribed enactments for the purpose of this section:

(a) section 35 of the Insurance Act 1989 ;

(b) section 47 of the Central Bank Act 1989 ;

(c) section 89 of the Building Societies Act 1989 ;

(d) section 38 of the Trustee Savings Banks Act 1989 ;

(e) section 258 of the Companies Act 1990 ;

(f) section 15 of the Unit Trusts Act 1990 ;

(g) section 16 of the Investment Limited Partnerships Act 1994 ;

(h) section 33 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 ;

(i) section 34 of the Stock Exchange Act 1995 ;

(j) section 122 of the Credit Union Act 1997 ;

(k) regulations 7, 8 and 9 of the Supervision of Credit Institutions, Stock Exchange Member Firms and Investment Business Firms Regulations 1996;

(l) regulation 85 of the European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations 2003;

(m) any other provision of an Act or regulations declared under subsection (5) to be a prescribed enactment for the purpose of this section.

(5) The Bank may, by notice published in Iris Oifigiúil, declare a provision of an Act or regulations to be a prescribed enactment for the purpose of this section.

Duty of auditor to provide Bank with copies of certain reports.

27C.—(1) If the auditor of a regulated financial service provider provides the financial service provider, or those concerned in its management, with a report on a matter that has come to the auditor's notice while auditing the accounts of the financial service provider or carrying out any other work for the financial service provider of a kind specified by the Bank, the auditor shall provide the Bank with a copy of the report. The copy must be provided at the same time as, or as soon as practicable after, the original is provided to the financial service provider or those concerned in its management.

(2) If—

(a) an auditor of a regulated financial service provider invites the financial service provider, or the persons concerned in its management, to comment on a draft of a report referred to in subsection (1), and

(b) the financial service provider or those persons comment on the draft in response to the invitation,

the obligation of the auditor under that subsection applies only to the final version of the report.

(3) If, in relation to the financial year of a regulated financial service provider, there has been no reason for the auditor of the service provider to provide such a report, the auditor shall nevertheless notify the Bank in writing that this is the case.

Duty of auditor to provide Bank with copies of reports sent to Director of Corporate Enforcement.

27D.—Whenever an auditor of a regulated financial service provider that is a company provides the Director of Corporate Enforcement with a report or other document in accordance with a requirement imposed by the Companies Acts or any other enactment, the auditor shall also provide the Bank with a copy of that report or document. The copy must be provided at the same time as, or as soon as practicable after, the original is provided to the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

Bank may request auditor of regulated financial service provider to provide Bank with report on certain matters.

27E.—(1) The Bank may, by notice in writing, request an auditor of a regulated financial service provider, or an affiliate of the auditor, to provide the Bank with a report on all or any of the following:

(a) the service provider's accounting or other records;

(b) the systems (if any) that the service provider has in place to ensure that the service provider acts prudently in the interests of its members (if a company or firm) and the interests of those to whom the service provider provides financial services;

(c) any other matter in respect of which the Bank requires information about the service provider, or the service provider's activities, to enable the Bank to perform a function imposed on it by or under an Act.

(2) The auditor or affiliate shall comply with such a request within such period as is specified in the request, or within such extended period as the Bank may allow.

(3) If the Bank so directs, the auditor or affiliate shall not, without the consent of the Bank, disclose to the financial service provider concerned, or any person concerned in the management of, or employed by, that service provider—

(a) the fact that the auditor or affiliate has received a request under subsection (1), or

(b) any information that might lead that service provider, or any such person, to suspect that the auditor or affiliate has received such a request.

Bank may require auditor of regulated financial service provider to provide certain documents.

27F.—(1) The Bank may, by notice in writing, require an auditor of a regulated financial service provider, or an affiliate of the auditor, to provide the Bank with a copy of any record or information provided or obtained by the auditor or affiliate in connection with an audit of the financial service provider's accounts that is in the possession of the auditor or affiliate.

(2) The auditor or affiliate shall comply with such a request within such period as is specified in the request, or within such extended period as the Bank may allow.

(3) If the Bank so directs, the auditor or affiliate shall not, without the consent of the Bank, disclose to the financial service provider concerned, or any person concerned in the management of, or employed by, that service provider—

(a) the fact that the auditor or affiliate has received a request under subsection (1), or

(b) any information that might lead that service provider, or any such person, to suspect that the auditor or affiliate has received such a request.

Offences by auditors and affiliates under this Chapter.

27G.—(1) An auditor of a regulated financial service provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with section 27B(2), 27C(1), 27D, 27E(2) or 27F(2), or contravenes section 27E(3) or 27F(3), commits an offence and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €75,000.

(2) An affiliate of an auditor of a regulated financial service provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with section 27E(2) or 27F(2), or contravenes section 27E(3) or 27F(3), commits an offence and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €75,000.

(3) An auditor who, having been convicted of an offence of failing to comply with a provision of section 27B, 27C, 27D, 27E or 27F, continues to fail to comply with the provision commits a further offence on each day or part of a day during which the failure continues after that conviction and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €200 for each such day or part of a day, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €7,500 for each such day or part of a day.

(4) An affiliate of an auditor who, having been convicted of an offence of failing to comply with a provision of section 27E or 27F, continues to fail to comply with the provision commits a further offence on each day or part of a day during which the failure continues after that conviction and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €200 for each such day or part of a day, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €7,500 for each such day or part of a day.

Auditors to have certain immunities from liability.

27H.—An auditor or an affiliate of a regulated financial service provider does not—

(a) contravene any duty of confidentiality owed to the service provider or to its creditors or clients or, if the service provider is an incorporated or unincorporated body, to its members, or

(b) incur any tortious liability,

only because the auditor or affiliate complies with a duty imposed on the auditor or affiliate by this Part.

Offence to provide false or misleading information for the purposes of this Part.

27I.—Any person who, in a return, statement or other document required by or under a provision of this Part or a regulation made for the purposes of this Part, provides information that the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is false or misleading in a material respect commits an offence and is—

(a) if tried summarily, liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both, or

(b) if tried on indictment, liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €75,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.

Who may prosecute offences against this Part that are to be tried summarily.

27J.—Proceedings for an offence against a provision of this Part that is to be tried summarily may be brought and prosecuted only by the Bank or the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Limitation period for bringing proceedings for summary trial of offence against this Part.

27K.—Proceedings for an offence against a provision of this Part that is to be tried summarily may be brought at any time within 2 years after the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed or, if the commission of the offence is discovered after the end of that period, within 2 years after the discovery of the commission of the offence. This section has effect despite section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 .”.

Definitions (Part V).

28.—In this Part—

‘Appeals Tribunal’ means the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal established under Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 ;

‘authorisation’ means an authorisation authorising a person to carry on—

(a) a bureau de change business, or

(b) a money transmission business,

and, if an authorisation is amended in accordance with section 34, means the authorisation as amended;

‘bureau de change business’ means a business that comprises or includes providing members of the public with a service that involves buying or selling foreign currency, other than a service that is provided—

(a) by a person or body regulated by the Bank referred to in section 32 (1) (a) to (k) of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 , or

(b) by a person or body prescribed as a designated body under section 32(10)(a) of that Act (but only if the person or body is regulated by the Bank under a designated enactment or designated statutory instrument), or

(c) by a person or body on an ancillary basis in the ordinary course of providing services to customers of the person or body;

‘inspector’ means a person holding office as an inspector under section 36G;

‘money’ includes any representation of money (such as a cheque) and any means by which monetary value is stored;

‘money transmission business’ means a business that comprises or includes providing a money transmission service to members of the public;

‘money transmission service’ means a service that involves transmitting money by any means, other than such a service provided—

(a) by a person or body referred to in section 32 (1)(a) to (k) of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 , or

(b) by a person or body prescribed as a designated body under section 32(10)(a) of that Act (but only if the person or body is regulated by the Bank under a designated enactment or designated statutory instrument), or

(c) by a person or body on an ancillary basis in the ordinary course of providing services to customers of the person or body;

‘officer’, in relation to a person that is a body corporate, means any person concerned in the direction or management of the body;

‘regulated business’ means a bureau de change business or a money transmission business;

‘this Part’ includes all regulations in force under this Part;

‘transmitting’ includes transmitting—

(a) by means of a message or other form of communication, or

(b) by means of a transfer instrument, or

(c) by means of a clearing network.

Person prohibited from carrying on regulated business without authorisation.

29.—(1) A person shall not carry on a regulated business unless the person is the holder of an authorisation.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €100,000.

(3) A person who, after being convicted of an offence under subsection (2), continues to contravene subsection (1) commits a further offence on each day or part of a day during which the contravention continues and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €200 for each such day or part of a day, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €7,500 for each such day or part of a day.

(4) This section does not have effect in relation to a person who carries on a money transmission business until 6 months after the commencement of section 27 of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2004.

Applications for authorisations.

30.—(1) A person who wishes to carry on a regulated business can apply to the Bank for an authorisation to carry on such a business.

(2) An application must—

(a) be in a form provided or specified by the Bank, and

(b) contain such information, and be accompanied by such documents, as the Bank requests, and

(c) be accompanied by the fee (if any) prescribed under section 33K of the Central Bank Act 1942 for the purposes of this subsection.

(3) The Bank may, by written notice given to an applicant, require the applicant to provide such additional information and documents as are reasonably necessary to enable it to determine the application. If such a requirement is not complied with within a period specified in the notice, not less than 14 days, the Bank may refuse the application.

Grant and refusal of applications for authorisation.

31.—(1) Except as provided by subsection (2), the Bank shall grant an application for an authorisation that complies with section 30.

(2) The Bank may refuse an application for an authorisation that complies with section 30 only if it is of the opinion that—

(a) to grant the application would be inconsistent with the effective enforcement of any law of the State the purpose of which is to prevent or inhibit money laundering or terrorism, or

(b) the applicant has failed to satisfy the Bank that the applicant is, or will be, able to properly fulfil the obligations imposed on holders of authorisations by or under this Part, or

(c) information given to the Bank by or on behalf of the applicant in connection with the application is materially false or misleading.

(3) If the Bank proposes to refuse an application, it shall serve on the applicant a notice in writing—

(a) specifying the grounds on which it is proposed to refuse the application, and

(b) informing the applicant that the applicant may, within 21 days after the giving of the notice, make written representations to the Bank showing why the application should be granted.

(4) Not later than 21 days after being given a notice under subsection (3), the applicant may make written representations to the Bank showing why the application should be granted.

(5) The Bank may refuse an application only after having considered any representations made by the applicant in accordance with subsection (4).

(6) If the Bank refuses an application, it shall immediately give to the applicant written notice of the refusal. The notice must include a statement setting out the reasons for the refusal.

(7) On granting an application for an authorisation, the Bank shall—

(a) record the appropriate particulars of the applicant in the register of persons authorised to carry on bureau de change businesses or money transmission businesses, and

(b) issue the applicant with an authorisation authorising the applicant to carry on the regulated business to which the application relates.

Effect and term of authorisation.

32.—(1) An authorisation authorises the holder to carry on a regulated business subject to and in accordance with the conditions of the authorisation.

(2) An authorisation remains in force until revoked under this Part.

Bank may impose conditions when granting an application for an authorisation.

33.—(1) In granting an application for an authorisation, the Bank may impose on the applicant such conditions as it considers necessary for the proper and orderly regulation of the applicant's business and, in particular, for preventing the business from being used to launder money or to finance terrorism.

(2) If the Bank grants an application subject to conditions, it shall specify those conditions in the authorisation granted to the applicant or in one or more documents annexed to that authorisation.

Bank may amend authorisation.

34.—The Bank may from time to time amend an authorisation—

(a) by varying any of its conditions, or

(b) by replacing or revoking an existing condition, or

(c) by adding a new condition,

but only after giving to that holder a notice in writing of its intention to do so and an opportunity to be heard by, or to make written representations to, the Bank in relation to the proposed amendment.

Offence to fail to comply with certain conditions and requirements.

35.—(1) The holder of an authorisation shall comply with—

(a) the requirements imposed on holders of authorisations by this Part, and

(b) the conditions (if any) of the authorisation, and

(c) the requirements (if any) imposed by regulations in force under this Part.

(2) A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €75,000.

Revocation of authorisation by Bank on application of holder.

36.—The Bank shall revoke an authorisation on the application of the holder of the authorisation, but only if satisfied that the holder of the authorisation has fully complied with the provisions of this Part and the conditions of the authorisation.

Revocation of authorisation by Bank otherwise than on application of holder.

36A.—(1) The Bank may revoke an authorisation on being satisfied on reasonable grounds that—

(a) the holder of the authorisation has not begun to carry on a regulated business within 12 months after the date on which the authorisation was granted, or

(b) the holder of the authorisation has not carried on such a business within the immediately preceding 6 months, or

(c) the authorisation was obtained by means of a false or misleading representation, or

(d) the holder of the authorisation has contravened or is contravening, or has failed or is failing to comply with a provision of this Part, a condition of the authorisation or a requirement imposed by or under this Part, or

(e) if the holder of the authorisation is a natural person, the holder is adjudicated bankrupt, or

(f) if the holder of the authorisation is a partnership, the partnership is dissolved by the death or bankruptcy of a partner or because of the operation of a provision of the Partnership Act 1890 , or

(g) if the holder of the authorisation is a body corporate, the winding-up of the body has commenced, or

(h) the holder of the authorisation is so structured, or business of the holder is so organised, that the holder is no longer capable of being regulated to the satisfaction of the Bank, or

(i) the circumstances under which the authorisation was granted have changed to the extent that an application for authorisation would be refused had the application been made in the changed circumstances, or

(j) the holder of the authorisation suspends payments due to creditors, or is unable to meet any other obligations to creditors of the holder, or

(k) if the holder of the authorisation is a branch or subsidiary of a body corporate that has its head office in another country that is an EEA country, the authority of that other country that performs functions similar to those of the Bank under this Part has terminated the authority of that body to carry on a regulated business in that other country, or

(l) the holder of the authorisation, or officer of that holder, is convicted of—

(i) an offence against this Part or against any other designated enactment or designated statutory instrument, or

(ii) an offence involving fraud, dishonesty, breach of trust, money laundering or financing terrorism.

(2) If the Bank proposes to revoke an authorisation, it shall serve on the holder of the authorisation a notice in writing informing the holder of the Bank's intention to revoke the authorisation. The notice must—

(a) specify the grounds on which it is proposed to revoke the authorisation, and

(b) inform the holder of the authorisation that the holder may, within 21 days after service of the notice, make written representations to the Bank showing why the authorisation should not be revoked.

(3) Not later than 21 days after a notice is served on the holder of an authorisation in accordance with subsection (2), the holder may make written representations to the Bank showing why the authorisation should not be revoked.

(4) The Bank may revoke the authorisation only after having considered any representations made by the holder of the authorisation in accordance with subsection (3).

(5) As soon as practicable after revoking an authorisation under this section, the Bank shall give written notice of the revocation to the person who was the holder of the authorisation. The notice must include a statement of the reasons for revoking the authorisation.

(6) Revocation of an authorisation under this section takes effect on and from the date of the notice of revocation or, if a later date is specified in the notice, on and from that date, irrespective of whether an appeal against the revocation is made under Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 .

Bank may direct holder of authorisation to suspend business.

36B.—(1) If the Bank reasonably believes that there may be grounds for revoking an authorisation under section 36A, it may give to the holder of the authorisation a direction in writing prohibiting it from carrying on a regulated business otherwise than in accordance with conditions specified by the Bank.

(2) A direction given under this section—

(a) must include a statement of the Bank's reasons for giving the direction and specify the conditions with which the holder of the authorisation must comply, and

(b) remains in force for such period (not exceeding 6 months) as is specified in the direction.

(3) A direction takes effect from the date of the direction or, if a later date is specified in the direction, from that date, irrespective of whether or not the holder of the authorisation appeals against the direction.

(4) The holder of an authorisation shall comply with a direction given under this section and the conditions (if any) contained in the direction.

(5) The Bank may, by notice in writing given to the holder of the authorisation concerned, amend or revoke a direction given under this section.

(6) Without limiting subsection (5), the Bank may from time to time, by notice in writing given to the holder of the authorisation concerned, extend the period during which a direction remains in force by a further period not exceeding 6 months.

(7) A direction given under this section ceases to have effect—

(a) at the end of the period specified in the direction, or if the period is extended under subsection (6), at the end of the extended period, or

(b) on the revocation of the holder's authorisation under this Part,

whichever first occurs.

(8) A person who contravenes a direction given under this section, or fails to comply with a condition of the direction, commits an offence and—

(a) if tried summarily, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000, or

(b) if tried on indictment, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €75,000.

Bank to publish notice of revocation or suspension.

36C.—As soon as practicable after revoking an authorisation under section 36 or 36A, or giving a direction under section 36B, the Bank shall publish in a publication of its choice a notice giving particulars of the revocation or direction.

Bank to keep register of persons authorised to carry on regulated businesses.

36D.—(1) The Bank is required to establish and keep a register of persons authorised to carry on regulated businesses.

(2) The register must contain the name and the address of the principal place of business of each person authorised to carry on a regulated business and such other information as the Bank determines.

(3) The register may be in book form, electronic form or such other form as the Bank determines from time to time. If the register is kept in an electronic form that is not visually readable, it must be capable of being reproduced in a visually readable form.

(4) The Bank is to keep the register at its head office or at such other place as it specifies by notice published in Iris Oifigiúil.

(5) Members of the public are entitled, without charge, to inspect the register during the ordinary business hours of the Bank.

(6) A member of the public is entitled to obtain a copy of the register or of an entry in a register on payment of a fee of such amount (if any) as may be prescribed under section 33K of the Central Bank Act 1942 for the purposes of this subsection.

Bank to publish list of persons authorised to carry on regulated businesses.

36E.—The Bank shall, not less frequently than once during every period of 12 months after the commencement of this section, publish in a publication of its choice a list of persons authorised to carry on regulated businesses. If regulations in force under this Part so require, the list must contain such other particulars as are prescribed by those regulations.

Holders of authorisations to keep certain records.

36F.—(1) The holder of an authorisation shall—

(a) keep at an office or offices within the State such records as may be specified from time to time by the Bank, and

(b) notify the Bank in writing of the address of the office or offices where those records are kept.

Different kinds of records may be specified under this subsection for different kinds of authorisations.

(2) The requirement imposed by subsection (1) is additional to any other requirement imposed by law with respect to the keeping of records by the holder of an authorisation.

(3) The holder of an authorisation shall keep the records referred to in subsection (1) for such period as the Bank notifies in writing to that holder.

(4) The holder of an authorisation may keep documents wholly or partly in a non-legible form so long as they are capable of being reproduced in a legible form.

Appointment of inspectors.

36G.—(1) The Bank may, in writing, appoint employees of the Bank or other suitably qualified persons to be inspectors for the purpose of securing compliance with this Part, or with any specified provisions of this Part.

(2) The Bank may, in writing, revoke the appointment of an inspector whenever it considers it appropriate to do so.

Powers of inspectors with respect to holders of authorisations.

36H.—(1) An inspector may, at all reasonable times on production of evidence of the person's appointment, enter any premises at which the inspector reasonably believes that a regulated business is being carried on.

(2) An inspector who has entered premises in accordance with subsection (1) may exercise all or any of the following powers:

(a) inspect the premises;

(b) request any person on the premises who apparently has control of, or access to, records that relate to a regulated business to produce the records for inspection;

(c) inspect records produced in accordance with such a request or found in the course of inspecting the premises;

(d) take copies of those records or of any part of them, and

(e) request any person who appears to the authorised person to have information relating to the records, or to a regulated business, to answer questions with respect to the records or that business.

(3) A person to whom a request is made in accordance with subsection (2) shall—

(a) comply with the request so far as it is possible to do so, and

(b) give such other assistance and information to the inspector with respect to the regulated business as is reasonable in the circumstances.

(4) The powers conferred by subsection (2) may also be exercised in relation to any other person who, in the opinion of the Bank or an inspector, has information that is materially relevant to the exercise of those powers in relation to a regulated business.

(5) The production of a record in compliance with a request made under this section does not prejudice a person's lien over the record.

(6) Nothing in this section requires a legal practitioner to produce a record that contains a privileged communication made by or to the practitioner or to disclose any information that relates to the communication.

(7) In this section—

‘legal practitioner’ means a barrister or solicitor;

‘suitably qualified person’ means any person (other than an employee of the Bank) who, in the opinion of the Bank, has the qualifications and experience necessary to exercise the powers conferred on inspectors by this section.

Offence to obstruct inspectors in the exercise of their powers.

36I.—A person who—

(a) obstructs an inspector in the exercise of a power conferred on inspectors by this Part, or

(b) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement or request made by an inspector under this Part, or

(c) in purported compliance with such a requirement or request, gives information that the person knows to be false or misleading,

commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both.

Court may make enforcement orders.

36J.—(1) If a person has engaged, is engaging or is about to engage in conduct that involved, involves or would involve—

(a) contravening a provision of this Part, or

(b) attempting to contravene such a provision, or

(c) aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring a person to contravene such a provision, or

(d) inducing or attempting to induce, whether by threats, promises or otherwise, a person to contravene such a provision, or

(e) being in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or a party to, the contravention by a person of such a provision, or

(f) conspiring with others to contravene such a provision,

the Court may make an order restraining the person from engaging in the conduct. The Court may include in the order a requirement that the person do a specified act.

(2) If a person has refused or failed, is refusing or failing, or is about to refuse or fail, to do an act that the person is required to do by or under a provision of this Part, the Court may make an order requiring the person to do that act.

(3) An order under this section may be made only on the application of the Bank or some other person whose interests have been, are or would be affected by the conduct or by the refusal or failure to do the act concerned.

(4) The Court may hear an application for an order under this section only if it is satisfied that the person in relation to whom the order is sought has been served with a copy of the application at least 7 days before the hearing.

(5) An order under this section may be made on such terms as the Court thinks appropriate.

(6) The Court may grant an interim order pending the determination of an application under this section.

(7) If the Bank applies to the Court to make an order under this section, the Court may not require the applicant or any other person to give an undertaking as to damages as a condition of granting an interim order.

(8) The Court may discharge or vary an order made under this section.

(9) The power of the Court to make an order restraining a person from engaging in conduct may be exercised—

(a) whether or not it appears to the Court that the person intends to repeat, or to continue, the conduct, and

(b) whether or not the person has previously engaged in that kind of conduct, and

(c) whether or not there is an imminent danger of substantial damage to any other person if the person engages in that kind of conduct.

(10) The power of the Court to grant an injunction requiring a person to do an act may be exercised—

(a) whether or not it appears to the Court that the person intends to refuse or fail again, or to continue to refuse or fail, to do that act, and

(b) whether or not the person has previously refused or failed to do that act, and

(c) whether or not there is an imminent danger of substantial damage to any other person if the person refuses or fails to do that act.

(11) Whenever the Court has power under this section to make an order restraining a person from engaging in particular conduct, or requiring a person to do a particular act, it may, either in addition to or instead of making such an order, order the person to pay damages to another person.

Offences by persons concerned in management of bodies corporate.

36K.—(1) If a body corporate commits an offence under this Part, each person who was, at the time the offence is found to have been committed, an officer of the body commits an offence, unless the person establishes that—

(a) the body committed the offence without the person's knowledge, or

(b) although the person did have that knowledge, the person took all reasonably practicable steps to prevent the commission of the offence.

(2) A person may be charged with having committed an offence under this section even if the body corporate concerned is not charged with having committed an offence under this Part in relation to the same matter.

(3) A person who is convicted of an offence under this section is—

(a) if tried summarily, liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both, or

(b) if tried on indictment, liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.

Decisions of Bank under this Part to be appealable decisions for purposes of Part VIIA of Central Bank Act 1942.

36L.—The following decisions are appealable decisions for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 :

(a) the refusal of an application made under section 30;

(b) the imposition of conditions on the granting of an authorisation (not being conditions prescribed by regulations in force under this Part);

(c) the amendment of an authorisation under section 34;

(d) the revocation of an authorisation under section 36A;

(e) the giving of a direction under section 36B.

Bank may make regulations for purposes of this Part.

36M.—(1) The Bank may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Part, for or with respect to any matter that by this Part is required or permitted to be prescribed, or that is necessary or expedient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to this Part.

(2) A regulation under section 33J or 33K of the Central Bank Act 1942 may require holders of authorisations to pay a levy or fee for the purposes of this Part, or both a levy and fee.

(3) If a regulation under section 33J or 33K of the Central Bank Act 1942 imposes a requirement to pay a levy or fee to the Bank and the holder of an authorisation fails to pay the fee within the period, or by the date, specified in the regulation, the Bank may, by proceedings brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, recover the amount of the levy or fee from the holder as a debt due to the Bank.

(4) A provision of a regulation under this section may—

(a) apply generally or be limited in its application by reference to specified exceptions or factors, or

(b) apply differently according to different factors of a specified kind, or

(c) authorise any matter or thing to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by a specified person or body,

or may do any combination of those things.

Performance and exercise of Bank's functions and powers to be consistent with performance of certain responsibilities of Governor.

36N.—The Bank shall perform and exercise the functions and powers imposed or conferred on it by this Part in a manner consistent with the performance by the Governor of the responsibilities imposed on the Governor by section 19A of the Central Bank Act 1942 .”.

21.—(1) In this section—

‘banking activity’ means—

(a) carrying on banking business, or

(b) making payments other than those that are specifically connected with carrying on banking business, or

14.—(1) The Bank may revoke the approval of an approved stock exchange on a request made to it by or on behalf of the exchange.”.

(2) The Bank may also revoke the approval of an approved stock exchange on any of the following grounds:

(a) that the exchange has failed to operate as an approved stock exchange within 12 months of the date on which the approval was granted;

(b) that the exchange has failed to operate as an approved stock exchange for a period of more than 6 months;

(c) that the exchange is being wound up;

(d) that it is expedient to revoke the approval in the interest of the proper and orderly regulation of approved stock exchanges or in order to protect investors;

(e) that the exchange has been convicted on indictment of an offence under this Act or any other designated enactment or designated statutory instrument, or an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust;

(f) that circumstances have materially changed since the granting of approval to the exchange such that, if an application for approval was made at the relevant time, a different decision would be taken in relation to the application for approval;

(g) that the approval was obtained by providing statements or information known by the applicant for approval to be false or misleading;

(h) that the exchange no longer complies with capital or other financial requirements, specified by the Bank from time to time;

(i) that the exchange is not maintaining or is unlikely to be able to maintain adequate capital or other financial resources having regard to the volume and nature of its business;

(j) that the exchange has become unable or is, in the opinion of the Bank, likely to become unable to meet its obligations to its creditors;

(k) that the exchange has failed to comply to a material degree with a requirement of this Act;

(l) that the exchange has failed to comply with a condition or requirement that was imposed when approval was granted or was imposed later;

(m) that the exchange has suspended payments lawfully due;

(n) that the Bank considers that any director, manager or qualifying shareholder of the exchange no longer complies with the conditions of competence and probity required by section 9;

(o) that the exchange has so organised itself that it, and any related undertaking or associated undertaking, either collectively or individually, is no longer capable of being regulated to the satisfaction of the Bank under this Act.

(3) The Bank may not revoke the approval of a stock exchange unless it has served notice on the exchange of its proposal to revoke the approval. The notice must include a statement of the Bank's reasons for proposing to revoke the approval.

(4) If the approval of a stock exchange is revoked and the exchange is not a company that is being wound up, the following provisions apply:

(a) the exchange and its members continue to have the obligations imposed by this Act until all of its liabilities and other obligations have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Bank;

(b) the exchange shall, as soon as possible after the revocation, notify the Bank, the members of the exchange and such other persons as the Bank specifies of the measures being taken to discharge without delay the liabilities and other obligations of the exchange.

(5) If—

(a) a former approved stock exchange has not notified the Bank in accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection (4), or

(b) a former approved stock exchange has notified the Bank in accordance with that paragraph but the Bank is of the opinion that the measures being taken or proposed to be taken for the purposes of that paragraph are not satisfactory, or

(c) a former approved stock exchange has notified the Bank in accordance with that paragraph but the Bank is of the opinion that the exchange has failed to take all reasonable steps to notify persons specified by the Bank under that paragraph.

the Bank may, by direction given in writing, prohibit the exchange from doing all or any of the following without the prior authorisation of the Bank for such period, not exceeding six months, as is specified in the notice:

(i) creating liabilities;

(ii) dealing with, or disposing of, assets or specified assets of the exchange, or of members of the exchange, in any manner;

(iii) engaging in any kind of transaction, or in any specified transaction or class of transactions;

(iv) making payments to any person.

(6) If the Bank has given a direction under subsection (5), the Bank may further direct the former approved stock exchange to prepare and submit to the Bank for its approval, within 2 months of the earlier direction, a scheme for the orderly discharge of the liabilities and other obligations of the exchange.

(7) A former approved stock exchange to which a direction has been given under this section shall comply with the direction. Each person who, immediately before the approval of the stock exchange was revoked, was concerned in the management of the exchange, shall ensure that the former approved stock exchange complies with the direction.

(8) If the approval of an approved stock exchange is revoked and the exchange is a company that is being wound up, the following provisions apply:

(a) the liquidator of the exchange has, in addition to the liquidator's obligations in respect of the winding-up, the same obligations as the exchange would have had if it were a former approved stock exchange to which subsection (4) applies;

(b) despite paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Bank may, by notice in writing given to the exchange, discharge the liquidator from complying with the obligations imposed by paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and impose on the liquidator such other obligations corresponding to those set out in that paragraph as the Bank considers appropriate.

(9) Nothing in subsection (8) affects an obligation under this Act of any of the members of the former approved stock exchange concerned.

(10) Within 28 days after revoking the approval of an approved stock exchange under this section, the Bank shall publish a notice of the revocation in Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one newspaper that circulates within the State.

(11) A stock exchange whose approval is revoked under this section shall cease to operate as an approved stock exchange from the date on which it is notified of the revocation.

(12) A person shall not, without the consent of the Bank, provide an investment service on premises knowing that the premises were formerly used as a stock exchange by a stock exchange whose approval has been revoked.

(13) The revocation of an approval by the Bank and the giving of a direction under this section are appealable decisions for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 .

(14) The Bank may not exercise its power under subsection (2)(n) in respect of an approved stock exchange unless it has given the exchange an opportunity to remove the director or manager from office or otherwise deal with the concerns of the Bank in relation to the probity or competence of the person within such period as the Bank specifies.

(15) A person who fails to comply with subsection (7) or (11) or contravenes subsection (12) commits an offence.”.

24.—(1) The Bank may revoke the authorisation of an authorised member firm on a request made to it by or on behalf of the firm.

(2) The Bank may also revoke the authorisation of an authorised member firm on any of the following grounds:

(a) that the firm has failed to operate as an authorised member firm within 12 months of the date on which the authorisation was granted;

(b) that the firm has failed to operate as an authorised member firm for a period of more than 6 months;

(c) that the firm is being wound up;

(d) that it is expedient to revoke the authorisation in the interest of the proper and orderly regulation of authorised member firms or in order to protect investors;

(e) that the firm has been convicted on indictment of an offence under this Act or any other designated enactment or designated statutory instrument, or an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust;

(f) that circumstances have materially changed since the granting of authorisation to the firm such that, if an application for authorisation was made at the relevant time, a different decision would be taken in relation to the application for authorisation;

(g) that the authorisation was obtained by providing statements or information known by the applicant for authorisation to be false or misleading;

(h) that the firm no longer complies with capital or other financial requirements, specified by the Bank from time to time;

(i) that the firm is not maintaining or is unlikely to be able to maintain adequate capital or other financial resources having regard to the volume and nature of its business;

(j) that the firm has become unable or is, in the opinion of the Bank, likely to become unable to meet its obligations to its creditors;

(k) that the firm is failing or has failed to comply to a material degree with a condition or requirement imposed by or under this Act;

(l) that the firm has suspended payments lawfully due;

(m) that the Bank considers that any director, manager or qualifying shareholder of the firm no longer complies with the conditions of competence and probity required by section 18;

(n) the firm has so organised itself that it, and any related undertaking or associated undertaking, either collectively or individually, is no longer capable of being regulated to the satisfaction of the Bank under this Act.

(3) The Bank may not revoke the authorisation of a member firm unless it has served notice on the firm of its proposal to revoke the authorisation. The notice must include a statement of the Bank's reasons for proposing to revoke the authorisation.

(4) If a member firm's authorisation is revoked, the firm and every person who was concerned in the management of the firm immediately before the revocation are jointly and severally responsible for ensuring the discharge of all undischarged contracts entered into by the firm before the authorisation was revoked, unless the Bank gives a direction in writing to the contrary.

(5) If the authorisation of a member firm is revoked and the firm is not insolvent, the following provisions apply:

(a) the firm and its members continue to have the obligations imposed by or under this Act, or by the rules of the approved stock exchange concerned, until all of its liabilities and other obligations have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Bank;

(b) the firm shall, as soon as possible after the revocation, notify the Bank, the members of the firm and such other persons as the Bank specifies of the measures being taken to discharge without delay the liabilities and other obligations of the firm.

(6) If—

(a) a former authorised member firm has not so notified the Bank in accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection (5), or

(b) a former authorised member firm has notified the Bank in accordance with that paragraph but the Bank is of the opinion that the measures being taken or proposed to be taken for the purposes of that paragraph are not satisfactory, or

(c) a former authorised member firm has notified the Bank in accordance with that paragraph but the Bank is of the opinion that the firm has failed to take all reasonable steps to notify persons specified by the Bank under that paragraph,

the Bank may, by direction given in writing, prohibit the firm from doing all or any of the following without the prior authorisation of the Bank for such period, not exceeding six months, as is specified in the notice:

(i) creating liabilities;

(ii) dealing with, or disposing of, assets or specified assets of the firm, or of members of the firm, in any manner;

(iii) engaging in any kind of transaction, or in any specified transaction or class of transactions;

(iv) making payments to any person.

(7) If the Bank has given a direction under subsection (6), the Bank may further direct the former authorised member firm to prepare and submit to the Bank for its authorisation, within 2 months of the earlier direction, a scheme for the orderly discharge of the liabilities and other obligations of the firm.

(8) A former authorised member firm to which a direction has been given under this section shall comply with the direction. If the firm is a body (whether incorporate or unincorporated), each person who, immediately before the authorisation of the member firm was revoked, was concerned in the management of the firm, shall ensure that the former authorised member firm complies with the direction.

(9) If the authorisation of an authorised member firm is revoked and the firm is insolvent, the following provisions apply:

(a) a liquidator or receiver of the firm has, in addition to the obligations the liquidator or receiver has in respect of the winding-up, the same obligations as the firm would have had if it were a former authorised member firm to which subsection (5) of this section applies;

(b) despite paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Bank may, by notice in writing given to the firm, discharge the liquidator or receiver from complying with the obligations imposed by paragraph (b) of subsection (5) and impose on the liquidator or receiver such other obligations corresponding to those set out in that paragraph as the Bank considers appropriate.

(10) Nothing in subsection (9) affects any obligation under this Act of any of the members of the former authorised member firm concerned.

(11) Within 28 days after revoking the authorisation of an authorised member firm under this section, the Bank shall publish a notice of the revocation in Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one daily newspaper that circulates within the State.

(12) A member firm whose authorisation is revoked under this section shall cease to operate as an authorised member firm from the date on which it is notified of the revocation.

(13) The revocation of an authorisation by the Bank and the giving of a direction under this section are appealable decisions for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 .

(14) The Bank may not exercise its power under subsection (2)(m) in respect of an authorised member firm unless it has given the firm an opportunity to remove, within such period as the Bank specifies, the director or manager from office or otherwise deal with the concerns of the Bank in relation to the probity or competence of the person.

(15) For the purposes of this section, an authorised member firm is insolvent if—

(a) being a company, the company is being wound up, or

(b) being an unincorporated body of persons, the body is the subject of a dissolution order, or

(c) being a natural person, the person is adjudicated bankrupt.

(16) A person who fails to comply with subsection (8) or (12) commits an offence.”.

37.—(1) On becoming aware that the probity of a person who is an officer or employee of an approved stock exchange or authorised member firm is such so as to render the person unsuitable to be an officer or employee of an approved stock exchange or authorised member firm, the Bank may, by notice in writing given to the person and to the exchange or firm, direct the exchange or firm to remove the person from office or to dismiss the person from its employment.

(2) If the Bank becomes aware that a person who is an officer or employee of an approved stock exchange or authorised member firm is not competent in respect of matters of the kind with which the person would be concerned as an officer or employee of an approved stock exchange or an authorised member firm, the Bank may, by notice in writing given to the person and to the exchange or firm, direct the exchange or firm—

(a) in the case of an officer, to remove the person from office or to suspend the person from office for a specified period, or

(b) in the case of an employee, to dismiss the person from its employment or to remove the person from a particular sector of employment.

(3) An approved stock exchange, an authorised member firm or any other entity that the Bank supervises or regulates as part of its statutory functions shall not, without the written consent of the Bank, employ in any capacity a person knowing that the person is the subject of a direction given under this section.

(4) A direction under this section must specify the date on which it is to take effect.

(5) The Bank may consent to the employment of a person who is the subject of a direction given under this section. The consent may—

(a) relate to employment with any entity that the Bank supervises or regulates as part of its statutory functions generally or to employment of a particular kind, and

(b) be given subject to conditions or requirements or both, and

(c) be varied by the Bank from time to time.

(6) Any person who accepts or continues in employment in contravention of a direction given under this section commits an offence.

(7) A direction given by the Bank under this section and the refusal of the Bank to give consent under subsection (5) are appealable decisions for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 .

(8) The Bank may, by notice in writing given to the person concerned, revoke or vary a direction given under this section.”.

46.—The refusal of the Bank to approve an acquiring transaction in accordance with section 40 and the imposition of conditions or requirements on approving such a transaction are appealable decisions for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 .”.

“FIRST SCHEDULE

Section 29.

1. In this Schedule—

‘direction’ means a direction given by the Bank under section 29 of this Act;

‘stock exchange’ includes—

(a) a proposed stock exchange, and

(b) an approved stock exchange, and

(c) a former approved stock exchange, and

(d) directors and those responsible for the management of an approved stock exchange or former approved stock exchange;

‘member firm’ includes—

(a) a proposed member firm, and

(b) an authorised member firm, and

(c) a former authorised member firm, and

(d) directors and those responsible for the management of an authorised member firm or former authorised member firm.

2. The Bank may revoke a direction unless the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal has made an order in respect of the direction on the hearing of an appeal against the direction under Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 .

3. (1) A direction confirmed by the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal on the determination of an appeal made by a stock exchange terminates—

(a) at the end of the period of operation specified by that Tribunal, or

(b) on that Tribunal making an order for quashing the direction, or

(c) on the making of a winding-up order in respect of the stock exchange, or

(d) on the making by that Tribunal of an order for termination where it considers that the circumstances that gave rise to the direction have ceased to exist and that it would be unjust and inequitable not to make the order,

whichever first occurs.

(2) A direction confirmed by the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal on the determination of an appeal made by a member firm terminates—

(a) at the end of the period of operation specified by that Tribunal, or

(b) on that Tribunal making an order for quashing the direction, or

(c) if—

(i) the firm is a company, on the making of a winding-up order in respect of the firm, or

(ii) if the firm is an unincorporated body, on the making of a dissolution order in respect of the firm,

(d) on the making by that Tribunal of an order for termination where it considers that the circumstances that gave rise to the direction have ceased to exist and that it would be unjust and inequitable not to make the order,

whichever first occurs.

4. If the Bank considers that the stock exchange or member firm to which the direction was given is able to meet its obligations to its creditors, investors or clients but the circumstances that gave rise to the direction are unlikely to be rectified, it may, by notice in writing, direct the firm—

(a) to prepare, in consultation with the Bank, a scheme for the orderly termination of its business and the discharge of its liabilities to its creditors, investors and clients under the supervision of the Bank, and

(b) to submit the scheme to the Bank for approval within 2 months after the giving of the notice.

5. A direction given by the Bank under this Schedule is an appealable decision for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Central Bank Act 1942 .

6. (1) If a stock exchange or a member firm—

(a) fails to comply with a direction given by the Bank under this Schedule, or

(b) fails to comply with the terms of a scheme prepared and submitted by the firm and approved by the authority,

the Bank may apply to the Court for an order under subparagraph (2).

(2) On the hearing of an application made under subparagraph (1), the Court may make—

(a) in the case of a stock exchange, an order for the winding-up of the exchange on the ground that it is just and equitable that it should be wound up, or

(b) in the case of a member firm that is a company, an order for the winding-up of the firm on the ground that it is just and equitable that it should be wound up, or

(c) in the case of a member firm that is an unincorporated body, an order for the dissolution of the firm on the grounds that it is just and equitable that the firm should be dissolved.

7. The Bank may, by notice in writing given to the stock exchange or member firm concerned, revoke or vary a requirement imposed by it under this Schedule.

8. (1) On being given a direction—

(a) the stock exchange or member firm concerned shall take all necessary steps to ensure that its assets, or its client or investor assets wherever held, are not depleted without the prior authorisation of the Bank, and

(b) the Bank may direct—

(i) a credit institution or any institution exempted under section 7 of the Central Bank Act 1971 , or

(ii) any other financial institution that holds an account of any description of the firm (including holdings of investment instruments of the firm to which the direction has been given),

to cease making payments from, or entering into other transactions in respect of, the account without the prior authorisation of the Bank.

(2) An institution to which a direction is given under subparagraph (1)(b) shall comply with the direction within such period as is specified in the direction.”.

16.—(1) A supervisory authority may revoke the authorisation of an authorised investment business firm on a request being made to it by or on behalf of the firm.

(2) A supervisory authority may also revoke the authorisation of an authorised investment business firm on the following grounds:

(a) that the firm has failed to operate as an investment business firm within 12 months of the date on which it was authorised under this Act;

(b) that the firm has failed to operate as an investment business firm for a period of more than six months;

(c) that the firm is being wound up;

(d) that it is expedient to do so in the interests of the proper and orderly regulation and supervision of investment business firms or in order to protect investors or in any or all of these circumstances;

(e) that the firm has been convicted on indictment of an offence under this Act or any other designated enactment or designated statutory instrument, or any offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust;

(f) that circumstances have materially changed since the granting of the authorisation such that, if an application for authorisation were made at the relevant time, it is likely that the supervisory authority would have made a different decision with respect to the application for authorisation;

(g) that the authorisation was obtained by making statements, or providing information, that the applicant for authorisation knew or ought to have known were false or misleading;

(h) that the firm has systematically failed to comply with a condition or requirement of this Act, or has failed to comply to a material degree with a condition or requirement of this Act;

(i) that the firm no longer fulfils conditions or requirements that were imposed either when the firm's authorisation was granted or at a later time;

(j) that the firm no longer complies with capital or any other financial requirements specified by the supervisory authority from time to time;

(k) that the firm is not maintaining, or is unlikely to be able to maintain, adequate capital resources or other financial resources having regard to the nature and volume of its business;

(l) that the firm has become unable or, in the opinion of the supervisory authority, is likely to become unable, to meet its obligations to its creditors;

(m) that the firm has suspended payments lawfully due;

(n) that the firm has contravened to a material degree a code of conduct or rules of conduct specified in or set out under section 37;

(o) that a director, manager or qualifying shareholder of a person who is an authorised investment business firm, or is deemed by section 26 or 63 to be such a firm, no longer satisfies the supervisory authority as to the matters specified in paragraphs (d) and (e) of section 10(5);

(p) that the firm has failed to comply with a condition, requirement or direction imposed under this Act and the supervisory authority is of the opinion that the stability and soundness of the firm is or has been materially affected by the failure;

(q) that the firm has so organised its business or corporate structure that it and, where appropriate, any related undertaking or associated undertaking, either collectively or individually, are no longer capable of being regulated under this Act to the satisfaction of the supervisory authority.

(3) The supervisory authority may not revoke the authorisation of an authorised investment business firm under subsection (2) unless it has served a notice on the firm of its intention to do so. The notice must set out the grounds on which it is proposed to revoke the authorisation.

(4) If an investment firm's authorisation is revoked, the firm and every person who was concerned in the management of the firm immediately before the revocation are jointly and severally responsible for ensuring the discharge of all undischarged contracts entered into by the firm before the authorisation was revoked, unless the Bank gives a direction in writing to the contrary.

(5) If the authorisation of an authorised investment business firm is revoked and the firm is not insolvent, the following provisions apply:

(a) the firm continues to be subject to the obligations imposed by this Act and any codes of conduct or rules of conduct or client money requirements or any other conditions or requirements imposed by the supervisory authority under this Act until all the liabilities and other obligations of the firm have been discharged to the satisfaction of that authority;

(b) as soon as practicable after the revocation, the firm shall notify the supervisory authority and such other persons (if any) as that authority specifies of the measures being taken to discharge without delay the liabilities and other obligations of the firm.

(6) If the authorisation of an authorised investment business firm is revoked and the firm is not insolvent and—

(a) the firm has not notified the supervisory authority in accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection (5), or

(b) the firm has notified the supervisory authority in accordance with that paragraph but that authority is of the opinion that the measures being taken or proposed to be taken for the purposes of this section are unsatisfactory, or

(c) the firm has notified the supervisory authority in accordance with that paragraph but that authority is of the opinion that the firm has failed to take all reasonable steps to notify persons that that authority has specified in accordance with that paragraph,

that authority may, by direction given in writing, prohibit the firm from doing all or any of the following without the prior authorisation of that authority for such period, not exceeding 6 months, as is specified in the direction:

(i) creating liabilities;

(ii) dealing with, or disposing of, assets or specified assets of the firm in any manner;

(iii) engaging in any kind of transaction or any specified transaction or class of transaction;

(iv) paying money to any person or to any specified person or class of persons.

(7) If the supervisory authority has given a direction under subsection (6), it may further direct the former authorised investment business firm to prepare and submit to that authority for its approval, within 2 months of the earlier direction, a scheme for the orderly discharge of the liabilities and other obligations of the firm.